Which disease is the major contributor to blindness in the world?

CIP Ranchi 2023

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: CIP Ranchi 2023

Explanation

Cataract, the clouding of the eye's lens, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
According to WHO data, un-operated cataracts account for about 35% of all global blindness, affecting millions of people, primarily in the older adult population.
The mechanism involves the opacification of the lens, which prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, causing progressive and painless vision loss.
A key feature is that cataract-induced blindness is reversible with a highly successful and common surgical procedure to replace the cloudy lens.

Option A: While infections like trachoma are a significant cause of preventable blindness, particularly in developing countries, their overall global prevalence is much lower than that of age-related cataracts.
Option B: Chemical injuries can cause devastating and rapid blindness, but they are sporadic events and do not contribute significantly to the total number of blind individuals on a global scale.
Option C: Vitamin A deficiency is a well-known cause of preventable childhood blindness (xerophthalmia), but it is not the leading cause of blindness across all age groups worldwide compared to cataracts.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Global causes of blindness helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are vital in identifying patients at risk for cataracts during health screenings and educating them on early symptoms like blurry vision, faded colors, and increased glare.
Patient education on preventive measures, such as wearing sunglasses to protect from UV radiation and maintaining good control of systemic diseases like diabetes, is a key nursing role.
Pre- and post-operative nursing care for cataract surgery is crucial for patient safety. This includes administering eye drops, teaching activity restrictions, and monitoring for complications like infection or increased intraocular pressure.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the key components: 'major contributor,' 'blindness,' and 'in the world.' This indicates the need to identify the most prevalent cause on a global scale.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of global health statistics and common ophthalmological conditions.
Evaluate each option based on its worldwide impact. Consider the scale and prevalence of each condition.
Recall that infections (like trachoma) and nutritional deficiencies are major problems in specific regions or age groups but may not be the top cause overall.
Remember that cataracts are an extremely common condition associated with aging, affecting a vast number of people globally.
Conclude that cataracts have the highest global prevalence among the given options, making it the major contributor to blindness.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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