Sandra C Ganesh1, Kalpana Narendran1, Jeyanthi Nirmal1, Vijayakumar Valaguru2, Sangeetha Shanmugam1, Nish Patel3, Prabha Narayanaswamy3, David C Musch3,4,5, Joshua R Ehrlich3,4. 1. a Aravind Eye Care System , Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu , India. 2. b Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology , Madurai , Tamil Nadu , India. 3. c Center for Eye Policy and Innovation, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA. 4. d Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA. 5. e Department of Epidemiology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report the prevalence and causes of functional low vision (FLV) in school-age children in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India and to report our experience using the key informant (KI) method in this setting. METHODS: Children suspected of having low vision were identified by KIs or Aravind Eye Hospital personnel in Coimbatore District. All identified children underwent a cycloplegic refraction and full eye exam. A primary cause of decreased vision was determined for each child. The prevalence of FLV was calculated for children 6-14 years old. Spectacles and low vision devices were provided free of charge. RESULTS: 345 children aged 6-14 years were referred and 231 had FLV. The positive-predictive value of KI referrals was 64.5%. The prevalence of FLV was 0.071% (7.1 per 10,000; 95% CI 0.062-0.080%) and ranged from 0.026% to 0.141% across the district's blocks. Older children (age 11-14 years; OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09-1.82) and males (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.16-1.98) had greater odds of being diagnosed with FLV. The most common causes of FLV were retinal disorders (30.0%) and amblyopia (25.5%). Low vision devices were provided to 169 children who had a mean near and distance visual acuity improvement of 0.31 and 0.63 logMAR, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a moderate prevalence of FLV and demonstrates the ability of KIs to identify school-age children with FLV in South India. The provision of basic low vision services can improve visual outcomes in this population.
PURPOSE: To report the prevalence and causes of functional low vision (FLV) in school-age children in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India and to report our experience using the key informant (KI) method in this setting. METHODS:Children suspected of having low vision were identified by KIs or Aravind Eye Hospital personnel in Coimbatore District. All identified children underwent a cycloplegic refraction and full eye exam. A primary cause of decreased vision was determined for each child. The prevalence of FLV was calculated for children 6-14 years old. Spectacles and low vision devices were provided free of charge. RESULTS: 345 children aged 6-14 years were referred and 231 had FLV. The positive-predictive value of KI referrals was 64.5%. The prevalence of FLV was 0.071% (7.1 per 10,000; 95% CI 0.062-0.080%) and ranged from 0.026% to 0.141% across the district's blocks. Older children (age 11-14 years; OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09-1.82) and males (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.16-1.98) had greater odds of being diagnosed with FLV. The most common causes of FLV were retinal disorders (30.0%) and amblyopia (25.5%). Low vision devices were provided to 169 children who had a mean near and distance visual acuity improvement of 0.31 and 0.63 logMAR, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a moderate prevalence of FLV and demonstrates the ability of KIs to identify school-age children with FLV in South India. The provision of basic low vision services can improve visual outcomes in this population.
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: Kovin S Naidoo; Avesh Raghunandan; Khathutshelo P Mashige; Pirindhavellie Govender; Brien A Holden; Gopal P Pokharel; Leon B Ellwein Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 4.799