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Purpose:

To report the barriers for seeking eye care among the elderly population aged≥ 60 years with avoidable vision impairment (VI) in the South Indian state of Telangana.

Methods:

A total of 3640 participants aged≥ 60 years were recruited using cluster-random sampling. Demographic information, including presenting visual acuity, was measured using the standard Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) protocol.“Avoidable VI” was considered if the VI was due to cataract or uncorrected refractive error (URE). A detailed interview was conducted using a validated questionnaire to report the barriers for not seeking eye care. Data were analyzed using the Stata statistical software version 14.

Results:

Prevalence of avoidable VI was 30.2%(95% CI: 28.02–31.06; n= 1102). Among those who noticed decreased vision (n= 1074), only 392 participants (36.4%) reported that they felt the need for seeking eye …