Arun Bhatti1, Nitin Batra2, Rupali Chopra3, Aprajita Sinha4
BACKGROUND
India shoulders the world’s largest burden of childhood blindness. The pattern, causes and prevalence of blindness in children are changing in response to socioeconomic development. Examination of children in schools for blind provides data on the causes of blindness in children. In order to design effective prevention of blindness programs, information on major causes of blindness in children is required.
The aim of the study is to study the ocular profile of severe visual impairment and blindness in children from schools for the blind in North India.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 174 students in seven registered schools for the blind in Punjab, North India, were examined of which 172 were below 16 years of age and were included in the study. Visual loss was categorised according to WHO criteria for classification of blindness. The World Health Organizations program for the prevention of blindness (WHO/PBL) eye examination record for children with blindness was used to record the findings. The need for optical, surgical or medical interventions was recorded and the visual prognosis was assessed.
RESULTS
It was found that 36.74% children had potentially avoidable causes of blindness. Preventable causes of blindness were seen in 16.26% children and treatable causes in 20.48% children.
CONCLUSION
A wider availability of specialist ophthalmic services is needed for the treatable causes of childhood blindness. Optical and low vision services are also important in the management of children with otherwise untreatable causes of visual loss.
