INCIDENCE AND CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS AT A TERTIARY EYE CARE CENTER IN NORTHERN INDIA
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Keywords
childhood blindness, tertiary eye care, hereditary eye diseases, congenital anomalies, India
Abstract
Introduction: Childhood blindness represents a significant public health challenge with evolving etiological patterns globally. This study aimed to determine the incidence and primary causes of childhood blindness among patients presenting to a tertiary eye care center in northern India and analyze demographic characteristics and etiological factors.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Saraswati Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, from January to June 2018. Consecutive sampling included all children aged ≤16 years presenting with best corrected visual acuity ≤3/60 in the better eye. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed using standardized WHO protocols. Data analysis employed SPSS version 25.0 with appropriate statistical tests.
Results: Among 118 children examined, males predominated (60.2%) with 75.4% having congenital onset blindness. Anatomically, whole globe abnormalities were most common (35.6%), followed by lens-related conditions (23.7%) and retinal disorders (18.6%). Etiologically, hereditary conditions constituted the leading cause (39.8%), followed by congenital anomalies (32.2%) and acquired conditions (28.0%). Leber congenital amaurosis was the most frequent specific condition (15.3%), while congenital cataracts represented the commonest treatable cause (13.6%). Overall, 42.4% of childhood blindness was potentially avoidable through prevention or treatment interventions.
Conclusion: Hereditary and congenital conditions have emerged as predominant causes of childhood blindness in tertiary care settings, reflecting epidemiological transition from infectious causes. The substantial proportion of avoidable blindness emphasizes opportunities for prevention and treatment strategies to reduce childhood visual disability burden.
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Dr Rajeev Jain
Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Saraswati Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh