Epidemiology and burden of eye disease in Dubai (Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, AMD)

---

Kadhim Alabady

Dubai Health Authority, UAE

: Int J Ophthalmic Pathol

Abstract

---

Background: The prevalence of sight loss increases with age, and the Dubai population is ageing. In addition there is a growing incidence in key underlying causes of sight loss such as obesity and diabetes. This means, that without action, the number of people with sight problems in the Dubai is likely to increase dramatically over the next 25 years. Purpose: The purpose of the eye health needs assessment is: • To build a picture of current eye health services, i.e. a baseline. • To gather information in order to plan and change services for the betterment of eye health. Method: In order to carry out eye health assessment we applied qualitative (focus groups with 20 ophthalmology experts) and quantitative methodology (Analyzing hospital, population health related surveys. Prevalence or incidence estimates based on research from national and international documents. It is intended to help stakeholders discuss the scale of the issue locally. Key findings: 1) A number of studies have shown that that rate of reported cataracts is around 2% on average. If these estimated prevalence rates (2%) are applied to the population of Dubai(without adjustment), there may have been 47,716 people with cataract across Dubai in 2015 of which: 33,145 would be males and 14,571 females. 2) It was estimated around 9,144 residents in Dubai aged 40 years or more in 2015 had glaucoma (of which 8,149 were OAG and 995 were ACG). 3) It was estimated there would be approximately 12,128 (95%confidence interval 9,639-15,001) Adults aged 18+ years in 2015 suffering from diabetic retinopathy at some stage. 4)Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) seem to be a rare condition in Dubai and patients and AMD are not often seen at private health care sectors, as it is most common among the older white population.

Biography

---

Fellow of the Royal college of physicians and surgeons of Glasgow (FRCP – Glasgow). Hold a Doctorate degree in Public Health and Epidemiology, Master degree in Clinical Epidemiology (MSc), Master degree in Public Health (MPH), all from The Netherlands Universities with broad experience driving Research and Development (R&D) strategies and operations.

E-mail: kalabady@dha.gov.ae