CATARACT SURGICAL COVERAGE: An indicator to measure the impact of cataract intervention programmes.

AIM: To describe Cataract Surgical Coverage (CSC) as an indicator to measure the impact of cataract intervention programmes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cataract Surgical Coverage, both for 'eyes' as well as 'persons', was calculated from community based surveys conducted in 19 rural districts in the south-west and one urban district in the north-west of India. RESULTS: Cataract Surgical Coverage (VA<3/60) ranged from 42% to 68% (for persons) and from 22% to 45% (for eyes) in 19 districts of Karnataka State. The coverage for males was higher than for females. In Ahmedabad the coverage was high with 93% for persons and 83%for eyes. DISCUSSION: Together with prevalence data, Cataract Surgical Coverage can provide important information on the impact of cataract intervention programmes. Regular assessment of prevalence and coverage indicators through focused community surveys will reveal trends. Coverage indicators are also important as input data for mathematical models to predict future trends in cataract blindness.