OVERVIEW OF CATARACT SURGERY OCCURRENCE IN BRAZIL: ANALYSIS BY SEX, AGE, AND ETHNICITY IN THE LAST DECADE

Abstract

Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide, especially among the elderly population. In Brazil, the number of cataract surgeries has grown considerably in the last ten years, driven by advances in medicine, such as the improvement of surgical techniques, and by the demographic aging of the population. The prevalence of the disease is estimated to increase as the population ages, since cataracts are more common in people over the age of 60. This study performs an integrative review on the occurrence of cataract surgeries in Brazil between 2010 and 2020, with emphasis on the analysis by sex, age, and ethnicity. The results reveal that women, especially the elderly over 65 years of age, are the most affected by the disease and consequently, the ones who most undergo surgery. Although the increase in the number of procedures is significant, there was a lack of consistent data on the distribution of the disease by ethnicity, which limits the understanding of regional and racial disparities in access to treatment. This highlights the need for more in-depth studies that address these issues in more detail, with the aim of improving public eye health policies and promoting more equitable access to ophthalmic health services in Brazil.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.039-023