Blindness Registers as Epidemiological Tools for Public Health Planning: A Case Study in Belize

Table 3

Key results based on data from the current BCVI register, their implications, and subsequent recommendations.

Result	Implication(s)	Recommendation(s)
Large disease burden in the over-50 age group	Improved case detection and service provision for older individuals are needed	(i) Publicize awareness of BCVI services among the community, general practitioners and other healthcare professionals, and nursing homes or elderly care centers; (ii) Establish strong referral networks for all districts
Cataract is the leading cause of registration for low vision and blindness	May potentially be due to inadequate cataract surgical coverage	(i) Recruit more ophthalmologists to join BCVI if possible or increase surgical rates of current ophthalmologists; (ii) Monitor cataract surgical rates and outcomes; (iii) Provide outreach services to all districts on a regular and sustainable basis; (iv) Provide early and easier access to cataract surgical services
Relatively late registration for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and childhood blindness	More effective early detection and improved referral systems are needed since these are manageable conditions	(i) Institute screening programs for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma and coordinate with general practitioners treating high risk patients; (ii) Collaborate with pediatricians, nurseries, preschools, and elementary schools to promote early detection of childhood blindness and improve school vision health programs