KUMJ | VOL. 2 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 6 | APRIL-JUNE, 2004
Barriers to up take cataract Surgery in Gandaki Zone, Nepal
Sapkota YD, Pokharel GP, Dulal S, Byanju RN, Maharjan IM
Abstract: Objective: Cataract though avoidable remains as leading cause of blindness in Nepal. Though, Himalaya
Eye Hospital rendering high quality surgical service through its base hospital and out reach service in
Gandaki Zone having cataract surgical rate is below 1500 per million. Therefore, it is mater of interest to
investigate the reason and the finding would be helpful to plan the future cataract programme to CSR to
desirable level, if we know the reason(s) that forced them living as blind in community and not seeking
available surgical services.
Method: All person with cataract affecting their visual acuity to <6/60 (corrected) in either eye found in
stratified cluster design sampling were enrolled in the study. They were interviewed with structured
questionnaire investigating their knowledge and attitude of their visual impairment and barriers for not
seeking cataract surgical service to date.
Results: A total of 303 eligible subjects were enrolled in the study. Out of them 57.8 % of people knew
about the cataract and they also think their vision impairment is due to cataract. But 56.11 % of people
were not aware their vision will improve. Surgical camp attendant or operated patients were found to be
effective media to spread the message that the cataract is curable. Among the barriers: fear for surgery 31.1
%, lack of attendant and geographical distance 32.8 %, Financial 24.1 % and Other clinical reason were
found to be 12 % as a reason for not seeking available surgical service.
Conclusion: The cataract service marketing, eye health education disseminating the information on cataract
and its curability is not found to be adequate. Therefore, the future cataract programme should give more
concentration on creating awareness on cataract and subsidizing the available surgical service and service
need to be brought to more proximity for the needy poor people
Keyword : cataract, barriers, Gandaki zone
