Astigmatism and cataracts: the most significant findings among the elderly in the locality of Suba

Abstract

This research determined the refractive state and the presence of ocular pathologies among the elderly in the locality of Suba. In the Optometric Research Institute, which is part of La Salle University, and through an Agreement subscribed with the Administrative Department of Social Welfare, 370 long-sighted adults were examined, among them 50 men and 50 women who were from 65 to 89 years old were selected for this study. The results showed that 73% of the population had refractive defects in long distance vision, being the most recurrent astigmatism and long-sightedness. The sight of the 28% was between 20/70 and 20/200, which limited the population to make daily labors efficiently and safely. Moreover, 38% of the population had important ocular pathologies such as cataracts or DMS, some of them are related to systemic illnesses, and most of them are responsible of sight decrease. The results showed the need of an effective intervention by the State, private companies, and academy to carry out massive campaigns of attention and prevention in visual health in the elderly in order to give them a better life quality.