Dr. Kripa S, Dr. Damayanti Suranagi, Dr. Shiva Sagar N
PURPOSE : To study the incidence of various ocular conditions resulting in visual impairment and blindness in patients attending ophthalmology OPD for visually handicap certificate.
METHODS : A cross-sectional study was carried out in total 129 patients who attended Ophthalmology OPD from August 2015-January 2016 for the purpose of obtaining visually handicap certificate. The concerned authorities were briefed about the aims and objectives of the study and the ethical committee clearance for conducting the study was obtained. Informed consent taken from all patients. Relevant ocular history. Visual testing and refraction, Slit lamp and fundus examination, if required ultrasound, B-SCAN were done on all patients.
RESULTS : Among the 129 patients who participated in the study 17(13.17%) gave history of blindness in family members. Parental consanguinity was identified in 35 cases (27.13%).The sites causing blindness or visual impairment were, the whole globe 31(24.03%), retina 27(20.9%), refrefractive error and ambylopia 24(18%), cornea 22(17