Prevalence of serious eye disease and XXXX in a north London population: population based, cross sectional study.

@entity1 @entity227 @entity231 @entity2516 @entity726 @entity735 @entity1020
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the magnitude of @entity735 and of @entity227 in a defined elderly population of a typical metropolitan area in England, and to assess the frequency they were in touch with, or known to, the eye care services. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey using two stage cluster random sampling. SETTING: General practices in north London. SUBJECTS: Random sample of @entity1 aged 65 and older, drawn from a defined population of elderly @entity1 registered with 17 general practice groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions and population prevalence estimates were determined for visual acuity, assessed with the @entity1 's own spectacles (if any), classified into four categories: prevalence of @entity231 , age related @entity1020 , and @entity2516 causing @entity227 and of definite primary open @entity726 ; and status of contact with eye services. RESULTS: 1547 of 1840 (84%) eligible @entity1 were examined. The population prevalence of bilateral @entity227 (visual acuity <6/12) was 30%, of which 72% was potentially remediable. 92 of these 448 cases (21%) had @entity227 . Prevalence of @entity231 causing @entity227 was 30%; 88% of these @entity1 were not in touch with the eye services. The prevalence of vision impairing, age related @entity1020 was 8% and of @entity726 (definite cases) was 3%. Three quarters of the @entity1 with definite @entity726 were not known to the eye services. CONCLUSIONS: Untreated @entity227 and @entity735 affect a substantial proportion of @entity1 aged 65 years and older. These findings should contribute to the setting up of future strategies for preservation of sight and eye health services in general.
