S Krishnaiah1, B Subba Rao, K Lakshmi Narasamma, G Amit. 1. Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, India. krishnaiah@lvpei.org
Abstract
PURPOSE: To identify the major causes of severe childhood visual impairment and blindness among students attending schools for the blind in a coastal district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in South India. METHODS: Children ≤ 16 years of age attending six schools for the blind in the study area were interviewed and examined in the year 2009, and causes were classified according to the World Health Organization Program for Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) childhood blindness proforma. A total of 113 children underwent a detailed eye examination by an experienced ophthalmologist. RESULTS: The major causes of blindness were congenital eye anomalies in 46 children (41.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 32.3-50.6), followed by retinal disorders in 21 children (18.9%; 95% CI: 11.6-26.2), cataract in 9 children (9.7%; 95% CI: 2.9-12.9), and corneal conditions (scar and Staphyloma) in 8 children (7.1%; 95% CI: 2.4-11.8). More than half the children (56.6%) were blind due to conditions that could have been treated or prevented. DISCUSSION: Congenital anomalies were found to be the most common cause of blindness. The majority of the cases were due to avoidable causes of blindness. Therefore, robust screening measures may help reduce the burden of visual impairment in children.
PURPOSE: To identify the major causes of severe childhood visual impairment and blindness among students attending schools for the blind in a coastal district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in South India. METHODS:Children ≤ 16 years of age attending six schools for the blind in the study area were interviewed and examined in the year 2009, and causes were classified according to the World Health Organization Program for Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) childhood blindness proforma. A total of 113 children underwent a detailed eye examination by an experienced ophthalmologist. RESULTS: The major causes of blindness were congenital eye anomalies in 46 children (41.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 32.3-50.6), followed by retinal disorders in 21 children (18.9%; 95% CI: 11.6-26.2), cataract in 9 children (9.7%; 95% CI: 2.9-12.9), and corneal conditions (scar and Staphyloma) in 8 children (7.1%; 95% CI: 2.4-11.8). More than half the children (56.6%) were blind due to conditions that could have been treated or prevented. DISCUSSION: Congenital anomalies were found to be the most common cause of blindness. The majority of the cases were due to avoidable causes of blindness. Therefore, robust screening measures may help reduce the burden of visual impairment in children.
Authors: G V S Murthy; Sanjeev K Gupta; Leon B Ellwein; Sergio R Muñoz; Gopal P Pokharel; Lalit Sanga; Damodar Bachani Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Muhammad Dawood; Siying Lin; Taj Ud Din; Irfan Ullah Shah; Niamat Khan; Abid Jan; Muhammad Marwan; Komal Sultan; Maha Nowshid; Raheel Tahir; Asif Naveed Ahmed; Muhammad Yasin; Emma L Baple; Andrew H Crosby; Shamim Saleha Journal: Int J Ophthalmol Date: 2021-12-18 Impact factor: 1.779