The economic impacts of cataract surgery on sustainable vision and quality of life in Katsina state

Abstract

Abstract Background This study investigates the economic impacts of eye care interventions on the quality of life in Katsina state. Eye care intervention is a requirement for equitable and inclusive development in the state. Methods The study used a survey method and 5‐point Likert scale questionnaire to collect data. A multistage sampling strategy was employed to select 300 beneficiaries from the existing beneficiaries of Noor Dubai Foundation (NDF) eye care interventions. Results The findings show that cataract surgery interventions improve economic benefits and quality of life of beneficiaries in Katsina state. The results show that productivity, income, employability, dignity and skills of beneficiaries have improved significantly after the cataract surgery. Precisely, 96.2% of the beneficiaries agree that their productivity has improved; 99.6% of the beneficiaries revealed that their income has improved; 99% of respondents evidence that their employability has improved; 90% of beneficiaries have experienced an improvement in their dignity; while 97% agreed that their skills have improved. Conclusion The implication of these findings is that poor eye health is negatively related to economic benefits and quality of life while good eye health is a vital determinant of standard of living. Without good eye health, it is hard to participate in the labour force, produce goods and earn income. Thus, the Katsina state government should further improve awareness of good eye health to mitigate preventable cases of blindness for equitable and inclusive development.

Keywords

• cataract
• economic effects
• surgery
• sustainability
• vision