The individual and household impacts of cataract surgery on older blind adults in Ethiopia

To comprehensively measure the impacts of cataract surgery on patients' activities and mental and physical health, caregivers' well-being, and household incomes in a resource-poor setting Methods: One thousand two hundred thirty-four bilaterally blind older adults in Amhara region, Ethiopia, were interviewed at baseline and 1030 (83%) re-interviewed at follow-up 1 year later. Six hundred ninety three (45%) at baseline were diagnosed with cataracts and offered free surgery, of which 484 (73%) were operated. Difference-in-difference was used to estimate impacts of surgery, using surgery-ineligible, mostly non-cataract blind as controls.