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Burden of Blindness and Visual Impairment
Ophthalmology. 2003 Aug;110(8):1491-8.
Blindness and vision impairment in a rural south Indian population: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey.
Thulasiraj RD, Nirmalan PK, Ramakrishnan R, Krishnadas R, Manimekalai TK, Baburajan NP, et al.
This population-based survey provides foundational data on the prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment in a rural south Indian population. It remains a key reference for understanding the epidemiological landscape that informs eye care planning in India.
Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2002 Dec;9(5):299-312.
The Sivaganga eye survey: I. Blindness and cataract surgery.
Thulasiraj RD, Rahamathulla R, Saraswati A, Selvaraj S, Ellwein LB.
This district-level survey documents the burden of blindness and the status of cataract surgical coverage in a south Indian population, highlighting the gap between need and service delivery. It provides a model for district-level eye health assessments that can guide resource allocation.
Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2002 Dec;9(5):313-24.
The Sivaganga eye survey: II. Outcomes of cataract surgery.
Thulasiraj RD, Reddy A, Selvaraj S, Munoz SR, Ellwein LB.
This companion paper to the Sivaganga survey examines the quality of outcomes among those who had undergone cataract surgery, revealing important gaps in postoperative visual acuity. It underscores the importance of measuring not just surgical volume but the quality and effectiveness of eye care delivered.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2002 May;86(5):505-12.
A population based eye survey of older adults in Tirunelveli district of south India: blindness, cataract surgery, and visual outcomes.
Nirmalan PK, Thulasiraj RD, Maneksha V, Rahmathullah R, Ramakrishnan R, Padmavathi A, et al.
This survey examines the prevalence of blindness, cataract surgical uptake, and visual outcomes among older adults in a south Indian district. It provides a comprehensive picture of the unmet need for cataract care and the quality of surgical outcomes at the community level.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep 6.
Cataract surgery workload estimates in Theni district, India.
Gupta S, Vardhan A, Ambalam V, Rajendran V, Joseph S, Ravilla TD.
This study estimates the volume of cataract surgery required to address unmet need in a defined district population, providing a tool for workforce and service planning. It offers a replicable methodology for eye hospitals and districts seeking to calculate surgical targets aligned with population need.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep;71(9):3246-3254.
Methods for a population-based Comprehensive Eye care Workload Assessment (CEWA) study in Southern India.
Vardhan A, Rajendran VK, Joseph S, Pooludaiyar L, Datta D, Fletcher AE, Ravilla TD.
This methods paper describes the design of a comprehensive population-based study to assess the full workload of eye care needs across conditions and age groups. It provides a rigorous framework for districts and health systems seeking to plan services based on actual population demand.
AJO International. 2025 Oct;2(3):100162.
Prevalence, coverage and effective coverage of refractive error in all age groups in Theni District, India.
Subburaman GB, Gupta S, Ashok Vardhan S, Datta D, Sundar B, Ravilla T.
This study measures not just the prevalence of refractive error but also the coverage and effective coverage of corrective services across all age groups in a defined Indian district. It introduces the concept of effective coverage as a more meaningful metric for evaluating eye care programme performance.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2024 Mar 19.
Evaluation and model to achieve sex parity in cataract surgical coverage in Theni district, India.
Gupta S, Ravindran RD, Vardhan A, Ravilla TD.
This study analyses gender disparities in cataract surgical coverage and proposes a targeted model to achieve equity between men and women. It is an important reference for hospitals and policymakers seeking to address the persistent gap in eye care access for women.
Ophthalmology. 2020 Jul 8.
Influence of Distance and Near Visual Impairment on Self-reported Near Visual Functioning in a Multi-country Study.
Han X, Ellwein LB, Abdou A, Naidoo KS, Sapkota YD, Thulasiraj RD, Varma R, Zhao J, He M.
This multi-country study examines how distance and near visual impairment together affect individuals' ability to perform daily visual tasks, providing a more complete picture of functional burden. It informs programme design by demonstrating the importance of addressing near vision alongside distance vision in eye care services.
Ophthalmology. 2014 Jan;121(1):417-22.
Age-related prevalence and met need for correctable and uncorrectable near vision impairment in a multi-country study.
He M, Abdou A, Ellwein LB, Naidoo KS, Sapkota YD, Thulasiraj RD, et al.
This multi-country study quantifies the age-related burden of near vision impairment and the proportion for which corrective solutions exist, revealing a large unmet need globally. It provides a powerful argument for scaling up presbyopia correction as part of comprehensive eye care programmes.
Am J Ophthalmol. 2012 Jul;154(1):107-116.e1.
Prevalence and correction of near vision impairment at seven sites in China, India, Nepal, Niger, South Africa, and the United States.
He M, Abdou A, Naidoo KS, Sapkota YD, Thulasiraj RD, Varma R, et al.
This landmark multi-site study documents the prevalence of near vision impairment and the availability of correction across diverse settings, highlighting major global inequities. It provides the epidemiological foundation for advocacy and programming on near vision as a neglected area of eye health.
JIMSA. 2010;23:192-194.
Tackling Blindness in India: have we done enough.
Thulasiraj RD.
This commentary reviews the progress made in reducing blindness in India and honestly assesses where the system has fallen short. It is a useful reflective piece for eye health planners examining the effectiveness of national blindness control programmes.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2004 Dec;52(4):331-5.
Quality of life after community-based rehabilitation for blind persons in a rural population of South India.
Vijayakumar V, John RK, Datta D, Thulasiraj RD, Nirmalan PK.
This study measures the impact of community-based rehabilitation on the quality of life of blind persons in a rural south Indian setting. It provides evidence for the value of rehabilitation services as an essential complement to surgical and clinical eye care.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2003 Sep;51(3):273-7.
Utilization of community-based rehabilitation services for incurably blind persons in a rural population of southern India.
Vijayakumar V, Datta D, Karthika A, Thulasiraj RD, Nirmalan PK.
This study examines the uptake and utilisation of community-based rehabilitation services among persons with incurable blindness in a rural south Indian population. It identifies barriers to access and highlights the importance of integrating rehabilitation into community eye care programmes.
Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2018 May;38(3):346-358.
Prevalence and risk factors for myopia and other refractive errors in an adult population in southern India.
Joseph S, Krishnan T, Ravindran RD, Maraini G, Camparini M, Chakravarthy U, Ravilla TD, Hutchings A, Fletcher AE.
This population-based study documents the prevalence and risk factors for myopia and other refractive errors among adults in southern India, providing locally relevant data for programme planning. It highlights the significant unmet need for refractive services and the factors that should guide targeted interventions.
Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2023 Apr 25:1-9.
Factors Affecting Follow-Up Adherence of Glaucoma Patients.
Singh A, Udayakumar B, Duraisamy Ravilla T, Ponnappan V, Krishnadas R, Satyavageeswaran P.
This study identifies the patient-level, clinical, and system-level factors that influence whether glaucoma patients return for follow-up care. Its findings provide a practical basis for eye hospitals to design targeted interventions that improve continuity of care for chronic eye disease patients.
Int J Epidemiol. 1989;18(4 Suppl 2):S60-67.
Rapid epidemiologic assessment of cataract blindness. The Aravind Rapid Epidemiologic Assessment Staff.
Venkataswamy G, Lepkowski JM, Ravilla T, Brilliant GE, Shanmugham CA, Vaidyanathan K, et al.
This foundational study introduced a rapid assessment methodology for estimating the burden of cataract blindness at the community level, a tool that has since been widely adapted globally. It represents a landmark contribution to the field of ophthalmic epidemiology and programme planning.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb;71(2):608-613.
Non-compliance for wearing spectacles: Prevalence and determinants in school-going children in South India.
Pawar N, Ravindran M, Renagappa R, Ravilla T, Raman R, Uduman MS.
This study measures the prevalence of non-compliance with spectacle wear among school children in south India and identifies the key individual and environmental determinants. It provides a foundation for designing demand-generation and compliance-support strategies within school eye health programmes.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Jul;87(7):847-9.
Sex inequalities in cataract blindness burden and surgical services in south India.
Nirmalan PK, Padmavathi A, Thulasiraj RD.
This study documents the disproportionate burden of cataract blindness among women in south India and reveals corresponding inequities in access to cataract surgery. It makes a strong evidence-based case for gender-sensitive programme design in eye care service delivery.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009 Apr;93(4):429-34.
Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy: a population-based assessment from Theni District, south India.
Namperumalsamy P, Kim R, Vignesh TP, Nithya N, Royes J, Gijo T, Thulasiraj RD, Vijayakumar V.
This population-based study estimates the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and identifies key risk factors in a south Indian district, providing local data essential for designing screening and prevention programmes. It is a foundational reference for hospitals and health systems planning diabetic eye care services.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Jul;46(7):2308-12.
Relationship between vision impairment and eye disease to vision-specific quality of life and function in rural India: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey.
Nirmalan PK, Tielsch JM, Katz J, Thulasiraj RD, Krishnadas R, Ramakrishnan R, et al.
This study examines how vision impairment and specific eye diseases affect quality of life and functional ability among a rural Indian population. It provides a strong patient-centred argument for early detection and treatment, with implications for how hospitals communicate the value of eye care to communities.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2004 Aug;88(8):989-94.
Risk factors for age related cataract in a rural population of southern India: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Study.
Nirmalan PK, Robin AL, Katz J, Tielsch JM, Thulasiraj RD, Krishnadas R, et al.
This population-based study identifies the key risk factors associated with age-related cataract in a rural south Indian population, providing data relevant to prevention messaging and targeting of screening programmes. It supports evidence-based decisions on which population groups to prioritise in cataract outreach.
Br J Ophthalmol. 2004 Oct;88(10):1237-41.
Utilisation of eye care services in rural south India: the Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey.
Nirmalan PK, Katz J, Robin AL, Krishnadas R, Ramakrishnan R, Thulasiraj RD, et al.
This study examines patterns and determinants of eye care service utilisation among a rural south Indian population, revealing significant gaps between need and actual uptake. It is a critical reference for understanding demand-side barriers and designing interventions to improve eye care seeking behaviour.
Diabetes Care. 2003 Jun;26(6):1831-5.
Developing a screening program to detect sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in South India.
Namperumalsamy P, Nirmalan PK, Ramasamy K.
This article describes the development and rationale of a structured diabetic retinopathy screening programme in south India, addressing the challenges of implementing systematic detection in a resource-constrained setting. It offers a replicable programme design for eye hospitals and diabetes care centres seeking to integrate retinopathy screening.
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