Changing trends in barriers to accessing eye care services in rural South India: results from the longitudinal Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study III (APEDS III) cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To assess the changing trends in barriers towards accessing eye care in a rural population cohort from Southern India.

Methods

This is a population-based longitudinal cohort of participants (the Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease study [APEDS]) from three rural regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who were evaluated at baseline (APEDS I; 1996-2000), along with follow-ups at 10 years (APEDS II; 2009-10) and 15 years (APEDS III; 2012-2016). At follow-up, all participants 30 years and above were administered a structured questionnaire on barriers to uptake of eye care services.

Results

Of 3810 participants, 1449 had visual impairment (VI). Among them, 1302 noticed a reduction in vision over last five years and 722 sought treatment, a significant improvement from basel

SUBMITTER: Padhy D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11269586 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature