© 2019 IJRAR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.

org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

To Assess Knowledge & Attitude Towards Senile

Cataract And Factor Influenced To Avoidance Of
Treatment Of Cataract In Rural Lucknow
Ragni Kumari1, Dr. Mrinal Ranjan Srivastava2
1. Assistant Professor, Department of optometry Era University, Lucknow, India.
2. Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Era University, Lucknow, India.

Abstract: Cataract blindness, in itself, is a public health problem of foremost proportions in the developing
world. It has been unspoken, that, there is poor access to the causation and treatment of cataract, as to where the
surgical services are available. Therefore, the present study was carried out to assess the knowledge & attitude
regarding senile cataract cases being screened in rural center of Era Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Era
University, Lucknow. Methods: The population studied includes 156 senile cataract cases in a regular
screening at Rural Center of Era Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow. This is a cross sectional
study by interview technique. Statistical Analysis: Proportion (Percentages). Results: 69% cases were aware
about cataract; major source of knowledge being relatives (65%). 50% cases related it to old age & majority of
not getting treatment was economic crisis in aware cases. Conclusion: There is a definite need for exploring the
myths regarding cataract and its surgery, through various IEC activities as there is large gap in public’s
knowledge and understanding of cataract blindness.
Keywords: Knowledge; Attitude; awareness; Cataract; Senile Cataracts.

I. INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of international blindness is 41.8%, out of which 23.5% contributed by India, is caused by
cataract alone1. Blindness due to cataract is a severe burden to the developing world as it has got severe
economic constraints due to reduction in efficiency. Cataract blindness; in itself; is a public health problem of
major magnitude in the developing world1. 41.8% of global blindness; in which 23.5% is contributed by India 3 ;
is caused by cataract alone. A major proportion of total blindness in India (81%) 2 is constituted by cataract
blinds. It has been assumed that there is a poor access to the causation and treatment of cataract in cataract
blinds and when some information on these aspects is available, they don’t know where to go for surgical
services. It has been noted that there is a poor access to the causation and treatment of cataract in cataract
blinds. The present study was carried out to assess the knowledge & attitude regarding senile cataract cases in a
regular screening at rural center of Era Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow. This is a cross
sectional study by interview technique.

II. MATERIALS & METHODS

The study was a single centre cross-sectional study involving 156 patients, above 40 years, were screened in a
regular screening camp at rural center of era Lucknow Medical College & Hospital, Lucknow over a period of 2
months. The information from these cases were obtained by interview technique on a pre-designed
questionnaire, which contained questions such as age, sex, occupation, education and general awareness about
cataract and it’s surgery. All the questions were asked in the local language.
III. RESULTS:
Out of the 156 patients who consented to participate in the study and answered the questionnaire 108 (69%)
were females and 48 (31%) males (figure 1).

IJRAR19J3540 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 1264
© 2019 IJRAR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Gender contribution

31%

male
female
69%

Figure 1:- Gender distribution

Out of the 156 cases, the majority i.e. 78 (50%) were in age group of 50-59 years and 48 (31%) and 18 (11%)
and 31 (8%) cases were in age group of 60-69 years and 40- 49 years and 70-80 years respectively(figure 2).

Age distribution (in years)

40-49
8% 11%
50-59

31% 60-69

50% 70-80

Figure 2:- Age group in years

Regarding knowledge & attitude related to cataract, 108 (69%) cases were aware about “Safed Motia”
(Cataract), 48 (31%) had not heard about safed motia (figure 3).

Awareness about cataract

31% a) No

b) Yes

69%

Figure 3:- Awareness about cataract

Out of 108 cases; 70 cases (65%) came to know about this from relatives; 20 (19%) from television; 10 (9%)
from newspapers and 8 (7%) from radio (figure 4).

IJRAR19J3540 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 1265
© 2019 IJRAR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Source of Knowledge Regarding Cataract

7%
Relatives
9%

Television

19%
News Paper
65%
Radio

Figure 4:- Source of Knowledge Regarding Cataract

54 (50%) cases responded that cataract commonly affects after 60 years of age, while 35 (32.4%) cases
responded about 40-60 years of age group rest 15 (13.8%) did not know the exact age group affected. Out of
108 cases; 11 (9.8%) cases related the cataract to religious reasons; 71(65.7%) linked it to old age while 22
(20.3%) with socio-environmental factors rest 4 (3.7%) could not cite any specific reasons.

All aware and unaware patient did not take any treatment for their eye problem and the reason why they did not
get treatment is in figure 5.

Reason to not got treatment among aware and unaware subjects

Not Aware Aware
23

18
17

13 13
12 12 12
11

5 5
3
2 2
0

Financial Afraid about No time Cataract is Too far, no Don’t want to Don’t believe Don’t know
problems the surgery not “mature” people to be operated surgery can
yet accompany on help
me

Figure 5:- Reason to not got treatment among aware and unaware subjects

IJRAR19J3540 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 1266
© 2019 IJRAR March 2019, Volume 6, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

IV. DISCUSSION
There is always a crystal-clear need for better quality information, education and communication on eye care to
reach the public so that the existing facilities can be availed. This study was conducted to explore the myths and
attitude of the people. Majority of the cases(65%), interviewed in our study were between 50-59 years of age
while studies reported 60-69 years by Soundarssanane et al(40.37%)4 and Chaterjee et al(43.3%)5 and Dr.
Indulekha Bindu et. al. (39.2%)6 and J. Bhagwan et al.(49.83%)7 . Poor knowledge regarding cataract surgery is
reflected from the facts that only 50% opined that cataract occurred after 60 years of age and it’s similar to Dr.
Indulekha Bindu et. al. (50%) & J. Bhagwan et. al. (47.82%). 3.7% did not cite any specific reason for cataract
and this was similar to Dr. Indulekha Bindu et. al. (22%). & J. Bhagwan et al (4.9%). Brilliant and Brilliant
found out many signifying unspecific reasons for cataract8. People may be unaware of the possibilities to get
their sight restored through operation. Thus, to explore the myths and attitude of the people towards cataract
blindness; this study was conducted. Ignorance regarding disease may be a factor for the existing blindness.
69% cases were aware about safed motia similar to studies of Brilliant and Brilliant8 (93.5%) & J. Bhagwan et
al. (90.08%). Majority of cases (65%) in our study got the knowledge regarding safed motia from peer
group/relatives and it is similar to J. Bhagwan et al. (73.79%) & Dr. Indulekha Bindu et. al (70%) While Das
and Venkataswami9 reported that 76.46% of people came to know about cataract surgery from other agencies.
Reason may be different I.E.C. activities in different areas. This shows that the awareness campaigns needs to
be speed up so that public is given right information. Economic constraints and poor/no knowledge ( afraid )
were the main reasons for not getting cataract surgery in 21.2% and 16.6% cases respectively in out of 108
aware cases; similar to findings of Brilliant and Brilliant 8 (29%). For 15.7% cases, no helper was available.
Other reasons like no time for treatment, cataract is not mature yet, don’t want to be operated, do not believe in
surgery and do not know, also noted.

V. CONCLUSION
There is a definite need for exploring the myths regarding cataract and its surgery, through various IEC
activities as there is large gap in public’s knowledge and understanding of cataract blindness.

VI. FURTHER STUDY

There is still a need for exploring the preferences of treatment of senile cataract in rural population like by
allopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda or surgical.

REFERENCES
1. Ellwein LB,Kupfer C.Strategic issues in cataract blindness prevention in developing countries.Bull
WHO1995;73(3):681-90
2. Thylefors B, Negrel AD, Pararajasegaram R, Dadzie KY. Global data on blindness. Comm Eye Health
1996; 9 (17): 1-8.
3. Gupta SK et al. Social implications of cataract related blindness in rural India. In: Kumar V, ed. Aging-
Indian Perspective and Global Scenario. New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences. 1996; 316-9.
4. Soundarssanane MB, Bansal RD, Narayan KA. An epidemiological study of cataract in a rural area of
Pondicherry. Ind J Med Sci 1986; 40: 273-7.
5. Chatterjee A, Milton RC, Thyle Sydney. Prevalence and aetiology of cataract in Punjab. Br J Ophthal 1982;
66: 35-42.
6. Dr. Indulekha Bindu et.To Assess The Knowledge,Attitude And Practice Regarding Cataract Surgery
Among Senile Cataract Cases In Rural Bengaluru. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-
JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 16, Issue 8 Ver. IX (Aug. 2017), PP 80-83.
7. J. Bhagwan et. al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Regarding Cataract Surgery among Senile Cataract
Cases in Haryana. ndian Journal of Community Medicine Vol. 31, No. 2, April - June, 2006.
8. Brilliant GE, Brilliant LB. Using social epidemiology to understand who stays blind and who gets operated
for cataract in rural setting. Soc Sci Med 1985; 21: 553-8.
9. Das T, Venkataswamy. Social, economic and behavioural determinants of utilisation of cataract surgery in
Mobile Eye Camps. Ind J Ophthalmol 1985; 33: 273-6.

IJRAR19J3540 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 1267