WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Adil Rifaie Hannawi*

ABSTRACT

Background: Cataracts, caused by opacification of the human lens, are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting over 15 million cases. With 36 million blind people worldwide, over 12 million are due to cataract, with over 90% of disability-adjusted life years lost in developing countries. Understanding cataract prevalence is crucial for disease control and prevention strategies. Aim of the study: To evaluated the effect of age on the prevalence of cataract among the population attending the Ophthalmic Tertiary Hospital at Mosul. Methodology: A cross-sectional study in Mosul analyzed the prevalence of age related cataract (ARC) in a large population from 2020 to 2023. The study aimed to understand the ARC prevalence, epidemiological, socio-demographic, and risk factors of ARC, which have not been previously studied. The data was collected from outpatient department papers and digital records, and analyzed using IBM SPSS software. Results: The study found that cataracts were more prevalent among individuals aged 60-79, with a mean age of 62.59±18.231 years. Males accounted for 52.7% of the sample, while females accounted for 47.3%. Urban areas accounted for 63.8% of the sample. Hypertension, diabetes, and active smoking were found in 41.6%, 27.5%, and 29.7% of the participants. Nuclear sclerosis was the most common type, followed by cortical cataract in 21.9%. Higher-age individuals had higher odds of developing these types. Conclusion: As people age, the occurrence of cataracts rises, particularly in those over 60. Health care planners can make better planning and resource allocation decisions if they are aware of the prevalence of cataracts.

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