Abstract

Aim: To understand why patient do not undergo cataract surgery in spite of economical choices available in vicinity. Method: A large population block underwent house to house eye screening in 2015-2016. Those detected as having cataract were advised surgery. But on follow-up visits in 2017, 2018, and 2019 many were still visually impaired with unoperated cataracts. A questionnaire based interview was conducted in their homes to gauge why they had not undergone cataract surgery
Result: 45535 individuals were screened in 2015-16, of whom 788 had unilateral and 580 had bilateral cataracts. In spite of subsidized cataract surgery, 474 were visually impaired by cataract in 2017.While cost was issue 274 (57.8 %), lack of felt need89(18.7%), lack of priority 189(39.8 %) were contributing. In 2018 ,poverty in 138(56.33%), lack of need 73(29.79%)and priority110(44.9%) were responsible. In 2019 again factors contributing were poverty 78(54.5%), lack of need 43(30.1%)and priority73(51.04%)