Lid surgery for trachomatous trichiasis is negatively associated with visual disabilities and visual impairment in Oman

Oman is at the threshold of eliminating blinding trachoma. We conducted a community-based survey in 2009–10 to study the association of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) status with visual acuity and blindness among the Omani population aged 40+ years. A total of 8191 eyes were examined and participants’ demographic data were collected. TT was absent in 7890 eyes but 227 of these eyes had had lid surgery for TT in the past. TT was detected in 301 eyes, for the first time in 154 eyes and following lid surgery in 147 eyes. The rate of blindness was significantly lower in eyes that had undergone lid surgery in the past (OR = 0.54). In regression analysis the predictors of blindness were participant’s age (adjusted OR = 1.01), sex (aOR = 2.01), history of lid surgery (aOR = 3.09) and residence in a hyperendemic trachoma area (aOR = 10.6). Promotion of TT surgery might be beneficial in reducing blindness.