Cataract surgical rate in Yemen: 2012

OBJECTIVE: To determine cataract surgical rate (CSR) in 2012 (01 January to 31 December 2012) in 22 Governorates of Yemen in order to identify the needs to reduce cataract related blindness. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was sent to the 184 eye units in governmental, university, military, private and charity clinics and hospitals in Yemen. RESULTS: The response rate to the questionnaire was 80.7%, and the collected data are summarized. During the 12-month period, a total of 62,577 cataract surgeries were performed by 268 ophthalmology specialists and residents. The cataract surgical rate was 2473 cataract operations per million inhabitants per year. Intraocular lens implantation was performed on 98% of the cases. CONCLUSION: CSR has increased in Yemen in the recent years but is still below the target suggested by WHO. There is need to increase the cataract surgical rate in Yemen mainly in rural areas. Inadequate number of eye surgeons, limited accessibility of cataract surgical services in rural areas and the affordability of surgery to large sections of society are major constraints that have to be addressed. The information from this study will help and enable Ministry of Health and other eye care providers to more equitably disperse trained ophthalmic personnel and eye units in Yemeni governorates.