Background: Cataract is the leading cause for avoidable blindness in the world and also in India. Around 62.6% of total cause for blindness is by cataract in India. Government of India launched National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) in the year 1976 with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. In the 12th plan (20122017) NPCB is allocated Rs. 2.506.90 crores for implementing the program for 5 years.
Objective: To study the sociodemographic profile of the patients undergoing cataract surgery at New Civil Hospital Surat (NCHS) from September 2009 through February 2010.
Materials and Methods: Hospital-based pretested questionnaire interview of patients admitted for cataract surgery in ophthalmology ward of NCHS from September 2009 through February 2010.
Result: A total of 297 patients were interviewed of which 51.1% were men, 85.8% were Hindus, and 48.4% were illiterate. Majority (47.4%) belong to socioeconomic class IV.
Conclusion: The patients seeking cataract surgery in NCHS were mainly Hindus and their literacy status is also low. Majority of them belong to socioeconomic classes IV and V.
Key words: Cataract, education, NPCB, religion, socioeconomic class
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