INCIDENCE OF CATARACT IN PARANÁ: ETHNO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS, CARE APPROACHES AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS, FROM 2018 TO 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Cataract, characterized by the opacification of the lens, is the leading cause of treatable blindness worldwide, associated with natural aging and significant impacts on the quality of life of the elderly population. In Brazil, despite the broad surgical coverage by the Unified Health System (SUS), access inequalities persist among different ethnic-racial groups and geographic regions. Objective: To analyze the incidence of cataract in the state of Paraná between 2018 and 2024, considering sociodemographic variables, types of care, and associated risk factors. Methodology: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational epidemiological study. Data were obtained from information provided by the database of the Department of Informatics of the SUS through the TabNet/DATASUS system. Results and discussion: A total of 14,237 ophthalmological consultations were analyzed, 12,854 of which were elective (90.3%) and 1,383 urgent (9.7%). The majority of patients treated were female (57.36%) and white (63.75%), with an underrepresentation of black patients (1.51%) and a high rate of records without racial information (18.32%). Final considerations: The results show advances in the performance of elective surgeries, but highlight persistent inequalities in access to early diagnosis and treatment, especially among black and brown populations and in rural areas. The predominance of female care reinforces literature data on the greater use of health services by women. In conclusion, it is necessary to expand screening strategies, ensure equity in access, and improve the quality of information recorded in public systems to support more effective and inclusive eye health policies.