Prevalence and Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Brazil: The São Paulo Eye Study

Purpose To investigate the prevalence and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of cataract surgery in a low- to middle-income population in São Paulo, Brazil. Design Population-based, cross-sectional study. Methods Cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting those ≥50 years old for VA measurement, refraction, and ocular examination. Participants were queried as to the year and type of facility for previous cataract surgery. Surgical procedure and evidence of surgical complications were noted. Main outcome measures were presenting and best-corrected vision, and the principal cause for eyes presenting with VA ≤20/40. Results A total of 4,224 eligible persons were enumerated and 3,678 (87.1%) were examined. The prevalence of cataract surgery was 6.28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.29% to 7.27%). Surgical coverage for presenting VA 20/40, 28.1% with VA 20/40 to 20/63, 14.2% with VA