DR.IVA RANI KALITA

DR. HARSH VARDHAN SINGH, DR. VEENA KANNVSAMY, DR.FREDRICK MOUTTAPA

Abstract

Study aims to evaluate demographic & clinical profile of Paediatric patients(upto18yr) attending 6VisionCentres(VC’s) of tertiary-eye-care center. It’s a cross-sectional study at 6 VCs in South-India(June,20-Dec,20). All children presenting at VC’s were included. Data in the EMR were collected at the BH. Total 250 pediatric patients(Mean age 8.2 ± 4.5 years)with males(60.8%) reported during study-period. Half were staying within 5km from VCs. 53.6% were in their primary school & 28% had no schooling. Visual acuity(VA) could be assessed only for school-going and older ones, due to the lack of age-matched VA assessment tools. 91.3% had uncorrected VA >6/18 in better eye, & 3% had <6/60. All patients had a Best-corrected VA of 6/6-6/18. Most reported for Allergic Conjunctivitis(25%), for routine check-ups(13%) & refractive error(10.4%). 52 were referred to BH.PREPP-I showed that most children can be treated at VCs & only one-fifth requires active intervention at higher referral centers