CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Visual impairment refers to a functional limitation of the eyes or visual system that affects a person’s ability to perform tasks requiring visual acuity, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces (WHO, 2021). Visual impairment can affect any stage in human life. The mortality rate of visual impairment increased dramatically with age. There are a lot of changes in the body that comes with ageing, some of these changes lead to visual impairments. One of this impairment is vision which can affect the elderly to the extent of disabling and eventually prevent them from living independent lifestyles. Visual impairment can be classified as mild, moderate, severe, or profound based on the degree of vision loss (NEI, 2021).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2020, an estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide are living with some form of visual impairment (WHO, 2021). Of these, approximately 43 million people are considered to be blind, while an additional 295 million people have moderate to severe visual impairment (WHO, 2021). The leading causes of visual impairment worldwide are uncorrected refractive errors, such as myopia and hyperopia, followed by cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (WHO, 2021). These conditions are more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, where access to eye care services and corrective eyewear may be limited (WHO, 2021).

Visual impairment is a significant health issue in Africa, with a high prevalence of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) reported in many countries (WHO, 2021). According to the African Union of Blind (AFUB), an estimated 36 million people in Africa are blind or have some form of visual impairment, with cataracts, glaucoma, and trachoma being the leading causes of blindness (AFUB, 2021).

World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 found that the prevalence of blindness in Africa was 3.3%, compared to the global average of 2.2% (WHO, 2019). They  also reported that the prevalence of MSVI in Africa was 13.5%, higher than the global average of 7.3% (WHO, 2019). The burden of visual impairment in Africa is particularly high among older adults, with age-related cataracts and glaucoma being the leading causes of blindness in this population (AFUB, 2021).

In Cameroon, visual impairment is a significant health issue with a high prevalence of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment reported in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, the prevalence of blindness in Cameroon was 1.5%, while the prevalence of moderate to severe visual impairment was 6.2% (WHO, 2019). The leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in Cameroon are cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (WHO, 2019). Other factors contributing to the high prevalence of visual impairment in Cameroon include limited access to eye care services, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of trained eye care professionals (WHO, 2019). Efforts to address visual impairment in Cameroon include initiatives to improve access to eye care services, increase public awareness about the importance of eye health, and train more eye care professionals (WHO, 2019). The Cameroon government has also developed a national eye care plan to address the burden of visual impairment in the country (Ministry of Public Health Cameroon, 2018).

1.2 Problem Statement 

Visual impairment is a major health concern amongst the elderly, particularly those aged 70 and above. As people age, the risk of visual impairment increase, and this can have significant implications for their physical and psychological wellbeing (Crews&Campbell, 2001). According to the world health organization (WHO) globally, approximately 217 million people have moderate to severe visual impairment. Visual impairment can have a significant impact on the elderly, as it can lead to social isolation, depression, fall, and a decreased quality of life. (Hassell et al., 2017). Additionally, elderly individuals with visual impairment often face numerous challenges, including difficulty performing daily activities, increased dependency on others and reduced access to healthcare services (Gupta et al., 2012). While on internship, the researcher  encountered many aged individuals who were vision impaired and how it affected their daily life’s negatively, this prompted the research into finding out what was the  prevalence of visually impaired elderly people and the possible challenges they face due to their current visual state. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of visiual impairment and challenges faced by elderly individuals aged 70 and above in order to identify potential intervention to improve their quality of life and reduce the burden of visual impairment in this population.

1.3 Justification of Study

Visual impairment among elderly individuals aged 70 years and above is important for several reasons. The world’s population is rapidly aging, and the number of elderly people is expected to increase in the coming years. With age, the risk of developing visual impairment increases, and this will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of this demographic. Visual impairment can lead to a range of challenges that can affect the quality of life of elderly individuals, including social isolation and difficulty performing daily activities. These challenges can have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of elderly individuals, and therefore, it is important to understand the prevalence of visual impairment and its associated challenges. By understanding the prevalence of visual impairment and the challenges it poses among elderly individuals, healthcare providers can develop effective strategies for prevention, screening, and treatment.

1.4 Research Question

• What is the prevalence of visual impairment of the elderly people at DR.Tambe Eye Clinic Bomaka.
• What are the challenges faced by elderly people with visual impairment at DR.Tambe Eye Clinic Bomaka.
• What are the perceived needs of the elderly people with visual impairment at the DR. Tambe Eye Clinic Bomaka.

1.5 Objective of Research

1.5.1 General Objectives

The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of visual impairment in the elderly at DR.Tambe Eye ClinicBomaka.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

1. To determine the prevalence of visual impairment at the DR. Tambe Eye Bomaka
2. To identify challenges faced by elderly people with visual impairment at DR.TambeEye ClinicBomaka.
3. To identify the perceived needs of the elderly with visual impairmentat DR. Tambe Eye Clinic Bomaka.