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To assess the causes of Visual Impairment & Blindness among the children of Schools for the blind in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Dr. Pallerla Srinivasa Reddy M.S.(Oph), DCEH, MCEH(Aus) Project Director – AP Right to Sight Society srinivasar107@hotmail.com.
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To assess the causes of Visual Impairment & Blindness among the children of Schools for the blind in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Dr. Pallerla Srinivasa Reddy M.S.(Oph), DCEH, MCEH(Aus) Project Director – AP Right to Sight Society srinivasar107@hotmail.com
Introduction • It is estimated that globally about 314 million people are visually impaired of whom 45 million are blind.1 • Blind & severely impaired children are 1.5 million in the world.2 • Childhood Blindness is the second largest cause of blind-person years, following • Cataract.4 • Fact sheetNo. 282, May2009, WHO • Alagaratnam et al. 2002
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh School for the Blind School for the Blind India
Objectives • To assess the aetiological and anatomical causes of Blindness among the children who are enrolled in the schools for the blind in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. • To find out what avoidable causes of • blindness are still present among these children. • To find out what are the barriers for the avoidable causes of blindness in children.
Study Design • A cross sectional study was conducted among all the individuals who are enrolled in the Schools for the Blind. • Study subjects • Total Blind children in the six schools : 136 • >16 years age children : 6 • Other district children : 17 • Total target children : 113
Got the IRB approval and obtained permission from District Authorities & School administrators Ophthalmologist -1 Ophthalmic Officers -2 Driver cum helper -1 Formed a team with 4 members and oriented in screening & to fill WHO/PBL form Approached to Schools & taken informed consent and performed detailed eye examination Ophthalmic Officer -1 Demographic details & brief family & personal history Ophthalmic Officer -2 Visual Assessment & Performed refraction Ophthalmologist, Detailed eye examination Using Slit Lamp & Ophthalmoscope All the data entered in WHO/PBL Examination Record for Children with Blindness & Low Vision Form Minor eye ailments treated Referred a few of cases for surgery/LVA assessment to the nearest Hospital. Unavoidable causes of blindness & low vision Avoidable causes of blindness & low vision All the information recorded in the questionnaire Gathered information about the barriers for the optical/ medical/surgical treatment All the data entered into excel sheet and generated statistical analysis by using Epi Info
Age - Gender Visual Assessment
Conclusion • Congenital anomalies accounted for 58% of blindness, so there is a need of research to determine the aetiology. • 48.7% consanguinity marriages are accounted in our study, so there is a need of premarital counseling among the public to avoid some genetic ophthalmic disorders. • There is a need to improve the paediatric eye care services in East Godavari District.
Acknowledgements • Mr. Ravi Kumar Chukka, Ophthalmic Officer, PHC Bellamkonda, Adilabad who has done the actual study as part of thesis work for MCH • Dr GN.Rao • Group of ICARE & LV Prasad eye institute staff