Dr. Vidya Sastry, Dr. Damayanti Suranagi, Dr. Manohar S, Dr. Kripa S, Dr. Jytiklal Pattar
To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in blind schools Hubli, Karnataka and provide data to help in planning interventional measures to tackle avoidable blindness.
METHODS
A Cross sectional study was carried out at 2 blindschools in hubli, Karnataka. A total of 97 children aged less < 16 were examined after Informed consent from the parents , school authorities and students. History, visual acuity, ocular examination,retinoscopy and fundoscopy were done on all students.
RESULTS
A total of 97 students were examined from two blind schools.History of consanguinity was in 23 students(23.71%). The two main causes of severe visual impairment in better eye were corneal scar (14.4%) and retinal dystrophy(14.4%), congenital cataract was found in among(11.34%).Among the children 14(14.43%) had preventable causes of blindness and 20(20.16%) had treatable cause.
This study emphasizes the need for screening pediatric age group and need for genetic counselling