Prevalence of Solar Keratopathy, Pterygium and Cataract in the Islands of Northern Red Sea Zone, Eritrea: Cross-Sectional Study, 2021

BACKGROUND: Everybody is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and the natural source of ultraviolet radiation is sunlight. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of solar keratopathy, pterygium and cataract and further to evaluate other factors that cause blindness to the inhabitants of the Northern Red Sea Zone islands of Eritrea. METHODS: It was a community-based cross-sectional study of all people aged 40 years and above, with a census sampling method. Study participants were screened for presence of solar keratopathy and other ocular diseases, and data were collected by a checklist from March 20 to April 20, 2021. Data were entered on an Excel sheet and transported to SPSS version 21. Results were presented with frequencies and percentages and chi-squared bivariable analysis was carried. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of solar keratopathy and cataract was 19.6% and 15.8%, respectively. Pterygium (40%) and pinguecula (32.1%) were also commonly found in the community. Participants aged 70 years and above (P<0.001), fishermen (P<0.001), housewife (P<0.001) and females (P<0.001) had a higher rate of blindness. The prevalence of solar keratopathy was higher with increased age and work experience (P<0.001). Fishermen and housewives had higher rates of solar keratopathy (44.6%) and cataract (30.2%), respectively, (P<0.001). Respondents aged 40 to 49 years had the highest prevalence of pterygium (44.1%) and pinguecula (39.1%) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of solar keratopathy, cataract, pterygium and pinguecula was high in the community. Fishermen with increased work experience were having the highest prevalence of blindness and solar keratopathy. Age, occupation, work experience, sex, vision problems and history of eye operations had showed significant association with visual acuity, solar keratopathy, cataract, pterygium, and pinguecula. Community awareness about the preventive aspects of these diseases is highly recommended.