Adults visual impairment and blindness – An overview of prevalence and causes in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: A major socio-economic development in Saudi Arabia affected the pattern and causes of visual impairment for the past 40 years. Moreover, an up-to-date summary of available data is vital for planning, monitoring, and evaluating national blindness prevention program. AIM: This study conducted to provide a summary overview of prevalence, causes, and changes in the pattern of blindness and visual impairment for the past 40 years among Saudi adults, with brief discussion of the related socio-economic and ecological factors. METHODS: The review was confined to the published epidemiological studies performed in Saudi Arabia covering the age group 18 year and older from 1985 onwards. RESULTS: Six epidemiological studies were included from 1985 onwards. In1986, the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in Saudi Arabia were 1.5% and 7.8%, respectively which is 20 times the magnitude of blindness in the United States. Multiple regional population based studies conducted later in areas with disparate ecological and socio-economical determinants at different time intervals showed variable prevalence of blindness 3.3% Eastern Province 1986, 0.7% Bisha 1993. Recently, in older than 50 year population the reported prevalence was 2.6% Taif 2012 and 5.7% Jazan 2015 and 6.4% in Ahsa. Since 1986, the single leading cause of adult blindness in Saudi Arabia is cataract. Although, Trachoma reported to be the second primary cause of blindness on 1986, its burden is reduced in Jizan (2015) and minimal in Taif (2012) which is replaced by chronic diseases related etiologies i.e Diabetic Retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Ecological and socio-economical determinants play critical role in the magnitude and causes of blindness and visual impairment in Saudi Arabia. Significant data gaps obscure monitoring and evaluation of the eye health. Eye health indicators should be integrated into the national health information system for dynamic monitoring and evaluation.