National Register for the Blind: a tool for health programme management

• Published in: Eastern Mediterranean health journal Vol. 12; no. 1-2; pp. 170 - 177
• Main Authors: Khandekar, R, Al Harby, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt World Health Organization 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Blind; Blindness; Blindness - diagnosis; Blindness - epidemiology; Blindness - etiology; Blindness - prevention & control; Causality; Causes of; Child; Female; Health Planning - organization & administration; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Male; Management; Medical examination; Methods; Middle Aged; National Health Programs - organization & administration; Oman - epidemiology; Population Surveillance - methods; Prevalence; Prevention; Registries (in medicine); Registries - standards; Retrospective Studies; Risk factors; Sex Distribution; Vision Screening; Oman
• ISSN: 1020-3397

We carried out a retrospective analytical study of 3525 bilaterally blind people registered in Oman to the end of 2000. We described the examination method, maintenance of the register and analysis of data. Lists of different categories of blind people were distributed to various organizations for management and rehabilitation purposes. The role of the national register in addressing blinding cataract, corneal blindness, eradication of congenital rubella syndrome and care of blind people in Oman was also examined. The register was useful in identifying candidates for rehabilitation and also for monitoring regional efforts to manage curable blindness. This multiple use of the register could make it an important tool for health programme management in Oman.