Abstract

To evaluate and analyse the causes of low vision and blindness, degree of visual impairment and associated factors in children who attended outpatient of tertiary care centre for visual impairment certification. Materials and Methods: The study was a non-interventional, cross sectional analysis conducted on 210 children aged <16 years, from July 2019 to Dec 2021 who attended our Ophthalmology OPD for visual impairment certification. Demographic data, socioeconomic status, need for disability certification, area of residence, percentage of visual disability, and anatomical cause of visual disability was noted for all subjects and categorised. The causes of Low vision and blindness, degree of visual impairment, and other associated factors was compiled and analyzed from history, clinical examination and investigations. P<0.05 was taken as level of statistical significance. Results: Of the 210 children who participated in the study, the major reason for availing visual disability certification was for monetary/finanacial assistance. In 30.47% of subjects history of a family member having some form of hereditary ocular disorder was noted. On evaluation of anatomical cause, whole globe deformities due to microphthalmos was the most common cause of permanent visual disability in 32.5% of subjects, followed by retinal pathologies in 25% and corneal pathologies accounting for 14%. Conclusion: In our country major reason for availing visual disability certification is for financial reasons. Our study reflects a changing trend wherein unavoidable/ permanent visual morbidity due to hereditary factors is more common than blindness due to avoidable causes. The most common anatomical cause encountered currently appears to be due to whole globe deformities due to microphthalmos primarily. Based on the study results we recommend genetic linkage analysis, marriage counselling and education to decrease the incidence of visual disability due to hereditary causes. Specialised paediatric eye care units and trained paediatric ophthalmologists at all levels of health care needs to be made accessible to provide therapeutic, diagnostic and rehabilitative eye care to all children with ocular disabilities

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