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REGIONAL PREVALENCE PATTERNS OF CORNEAL DISORDERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Significance: According to the World Health Organization, 4.2 million people have low vision due to corneal opacity. The rate of eye care seeking (that significantly differs across population groups) affects prevalence of corneal disorders and visual impairments. Data on the causes of low vision in corneal disorders are fragmental. Studies on prevalence of corneal blindness are scarce. The climatic and geographic diversity of Azerbaijan and different accessibility of eye care typical of various regions of the country make the study significant. Purpose: to compare prevalence of corneal disorders in cities and districts of Azerbaijan. Material and Methods: information was provided by statistical services of the administrative and territorial entities. Statistical forms for registration of final diagnoses served as the control document. Statistical forms encoded by ICD-10 were distributed by age, gender, and nosological variants of corneal disorders. Prevalence of corneal disorders per 100,000 population was calculated. Results: the overall prevalence of corneal disorders in Azerbaijan equaled to 340.4±2.0 per 100,000 population. The prevalence of corneal disorders in the administrative and territorial entities varied from 228.4±20.2 to 697.6±34.3 per 100,000 population. The number of females with corneal disorders was higher in all age groups (р˂0.05) except for ages over 70. The maximum relative gender risk was registered in the age group of 40-44 years. The age-related prevalence pattern of corneal disorders in males and females was similar (the maximum prevalence is registered in the age group of 65-69 years). The leading nosologies included corneal injuries and foreign bodies (20.3%), bacterial keratitis (20.2%), and corneal erosions (18.0%). Conclusions: in Azerbaijan, the prevalence of corneal disorders depends upon the place of residence. These diseases are more common in females and the elderly. Non-infectious conditions rank first among the corneal disorders.