Module 5: Importance of Education
Many of the previously noted barriers to eye care are related to a lack of education. The belief that blindness is an irreversible consequence of aging is one example.(1) Likewise, unwarranted fear of the operation itself is often due to misinformation about pain or poor outcomes associated with the surgery.(2) Illiteracy is also associated with a failure to seek eye care,(3) and the perceived effectiveness of alternate therapies reduces the number of patients seeking surgery.(4) These barriers can be lowered or eliminated through educational outreach and advocacy efforts.
“Community-based education about cataract has not been undertaken in most areas. When it is, the demand for surgery will increase, and women who meet other women who have had successful surgery are more like to accept surgery themselves.”(5)
“Surgery is not always perceived to be the only “cure” for cataract. Some patients first try traditional medicine, tablets, or try out eye drops or glasses before seriously considering paying any amount of money for cataract surgery:
‘I do not think that I have cataract. People who have cataract say that their eyes do burn a lot. I do not find my position to be so … I can get cured through traditional medicine.’
‘Yes, I think that tablets can treat cataract.’”(6)
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Footnotes
(1) Finger, R.P., Ali, M., Earnest, J., and Nirmalan, P.K. “Cataract Surgery in Andhra Pradesh State, India: An Investigation into uptake Following Outreach Screening Camps.” Ophthalmic Epidemiology. 14 (2007): 327-332. Accessed on 9 January 2009. <http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/76786_751309650_788999406.pdf>
(2) Chang, M.A., Condon, N.G., Baker, S.K., Bloem, M.W., Savage, H. and Sommer, A. “The surgical management of cataract: barriers, best practices, and outcomes.” International Opthalmology. 28.4 (2008): 247-260. Accessed on 9 January 2009. <http://www.springerlink.com/content/2640634853477514/fulltext.pdf>
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ntim-Amponsah, C.T., Amoaku, W.M.K., and Ofosu-Amaah, S. “Alternate Eye Care Services in a Ghanaian District.” Ghana Medical Journal. 39.1 (2005): 19-23. Accessed on 9 January 2009. <http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17299536>
(5) Lewallen, S. and Courtright, P. “Gender and use of cataract surgical services in developing countries.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 80.4 (2002): 300-303. Accessed on 9 January 2009. <http://www.scielosp.org/pdf/bwho/v80n4/a07v80n4.pdf>
(6) Geneau, R., Massae, P., Courtight, P., and Lewallen, S. “Using qualitative methods to understand the determinants of patients’ willingness to pay for cataract surgery: A study in Tanzania.” Social Science & Medicine. 66.3 (2008) 558-568. Accessed on 9 January 2009. < http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VBF-4R4DG73-1-1&_cdi=5925&_user=483692&_orig=search&_coverDate=02%2F29%2F2008&_sk=999339996&view=c&wchp=dGLbVtz-zSkzV&md5=77e1140130236b0841a1efa206dff6bb&ie=/sdarticle.pdf>