Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Manal O Taryam; M Mansur Rabiu; Shurooq AlBanna; Noora Al Shamsi; Bushra Albastaki; Hayat Khan; Salam Chettiankandi; Wafa Khamis Alnakhi; Hamid Y Hussain; Prasan Rao; Gurdeep Singh; Sivakami Pai; Mazen M Sinjab; Lama Toufik Sharbek; Xianwen Shang; Mingguang He

doi:10.1155/2022/9726230

Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Emiratis and Non-Emiratis of Dubai: A Subnational Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

J Ophthalmol. 2022 Apr 30:2022:9726230. doi: 10.1155/2022/9726230. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Manal O Taryam¹, M Mansur Rabiu¹, Shurooq AlBanna¹, Noora Al Shamsi², Bushra Albastaki², Hayat Khan², Salam Chettiankandi², Wafa Khamis Alnakhi², Hamid Y Hussain², Prasan Rao³, Gurdeep Singh⁴, Sivakami Pai⁴, Mazen M Sinjab⁵, Lama Toufik Sharbek⁵, Xianwen Shang⁶, Mingguang He⁶

Affiliations

¹ Noor Dubai Foundation, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE.
² Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE.
³ Medcare Hospital and Clinics, Dubai, UAE.
⁴ Al Zahra Hospitals, Dubai, UAE.
⁵ Medcare Eye Centre, Dubai, UAE.
⁶ Centre for Eye Research Australia Ltd, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Abstract

Purpose: To study the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of visual impairment (VI) among the Dubai Emiratis and non-Emiratis.

Methods: The survey was a population-based cross-sectional eye health study conducted 2019-2020. Cluster sampling was used to randomly select local (Emirati) and expatriate (non-Emirati) Dubai residents aged 40 years and older. Ocular examinations were conducted in selected eye clinics to determine the visual acuity (VA) and cause(s) of VI if any. Trained nurses, optometrists, and ophthalmologists did the examinations. VA was measured using ETDRS visual chart. The World Health Organization VI and blindness definitions and classifications for the cause(s) of VI were used.

Results: A total of 892 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age [SD] was 52.09 [9.48] years, with 55.8% as males. Prevalence of presenting mild, moderate, and severe VI was 4.7% (2.94-7.11%), 1.8% (0.78-3.5%), and 0% for Emiratis, and 3.6% (2.06-5.76), 1.6% (0.63-3.21), and 0% for non-Emiratis, respectively. Four Emirati participants were blind, with a prevalence of 0.9% (0.25%-2.28%). Men had lower likelihood of VI than women (odds ratio [OR] (95% CI): 0.42 (0.24-0.77)) after adjustment for covariates. Diabetes (OR (95% CI): 1.91 (1.04-3.52)) was an independent risk factor for VI. Higher education level was associated with a lower likelihood of VI (OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.13-0.89). Leading causes of VI among Emiratis were uncorrected refractive error (52%) and cataract (17.2%). Glaucoma, optic atrophy, and absent globe were the causes of blindness.

Conclusions: Prevalence of VI is comparably low with leading causes readily treatable. An effective strategy to improve spectacle correction and cataract services would reduce the VI burden.