prevalence of low vision and blindness in socio-economic levels and association of them in varamin city 2009

purpose: vision disorders are closely associated with poverty, particularly blindness. we determined the prevalence of low vision and blindness in different socioeconomic levels. our goal was determination of correlation between socioeconomic determinants and visual acuity in varamin city. methods: this community based study was done on 2737 people over the age of 50 years, living varamin city and subsidiary regions. we selected samples according stratified cluster random sampling. we standardized the questionnaire and trained questioner to collect data by interview and ophthalmic examinations in home visits. patients were referred to the ophthalmology clinic if we find problem in initial examinations. quality controls were done during the processes. we analyzed data by anova, chi-square and other nonparametric tests and concentration index in spss and stata soft ware’s. results: we determined the socioeconomic level of people with 91% response rate. people with low socio-economic level had significantly lower education level, higher unemployment rate and lower marital status. low socioeconomic level associated significantly with unilateral blindness, unilateral and bilateral low vision (p<0.001).socioeconomic level and bilateral blindness didn’t have correlation (p=0.13). visual defect significantly was seen in low socioeconomic (concentration index=-0.24, 95%ci:-0.32,-0.16) and bilateral blindness didn’t seen in low socioeconomic groups. (concentration index=-0.15, 95%ci:-0.37,0.06). conclusion: socioeconomic level had association with unilateral blindness, unilateral and bilateral low vision. low socioeconomic people have low education, unemployment and low social support so they don’t care of themselves because of lack of knowledge, or low access to appropriate health care. we suggest more investigation on these reasons.