DR. NAZMA BEGUM

DR. SUBHANKITA PAUL

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The major causes of blindness in children vary widely from region to region. The purpose of this study is to determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness amongst children attending tertiary care hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children up to 16 years of age from May 2019 to October 2020 underwent clinical examination. Children with best corrected visual acuity <3/60 in the better eye was considered blind. RESULTS: A total of 2183 children were examined 57 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The major causes of visual loss amongst the 57 were congenital anomalies 10.5%; corneal conditions (vitamin A deficiency) 54.3%; cataract 22.8%, retinal disorders 7% and optic atrophy 5.2%. CONCLUSION: In southern Assam more than half of the children were blind from conditions which were either preventable or treatable and Vitamin A deficiency forms an important component. Keywords: Childhood blindness, congenital anomalies,