Background: The objectives of study were to find out the different types of refractive errors in children between seven to fifteen years age group and the cause of uncorrected defective vision.Methods: A prospective study was designed of two thousand children aged between seven to fifteen years, attending outpatient department. Study period was one year. Consent was obtained from their guardian. Inclusion criteria were children with refractive errors. Children presenting with organic defects of ocular structures, infections, corneal opacity, cataract, choroid and retinal disorders were excluded from study. Data were collected by history taking and comprehensive ocular examination, visual tests for both near and distant vision. Refractive error assessed by cycloplegic drug with one percent Homatropine eye drops, by streak retinoscopy. Objective refraction were carried out and documented. Subjective refraction was done after one week. Both BCVA and uncorrected refractive errors were ascertained and recorded.Results: Out of two thousand children examined, myopic = 34%, hypermetropic = 11%, and astigmatic = 55%. M: F = 900:1000. Study showed headache as the commonest symptom. 17% of the patients had positive family history. Correctable errors constitute 91% of the total cases.Conclusions: Myopic astigmatism was found to be the most frequent refractive error in children. Mass screening is required for early diagnosis of refractive error. Prescribing corrective glasses for children with refractive errors at an early age will prevent childhood morbidity.

Introduction:The worldwide prevalence of childhood blindness is estimated to be 1.4 million with India being the largest inhabitant of blind children. The prevalence of childhood blindness in India is estimated to be 320,000, out of which 40-50% belongs to treatable causes. As the knowledge of the prevalence and causes of ocular morbidities among children in backward community plays important role in planning and evaluation of preventive and curative services for children, our study was aimed to evaluate common ocular pathology in children of age group 8-15yrs in rural and backward community of Assam. Material and methods:Total of 1244 children (aged 8-15yrs) belonging to rural and backward community were screened for ocular pathologies including congenital cataract, uncorrected refractive errors, corneal opacity etc. through community outreach camp. Of which 92 children with some form of ocular pathologies were further evaluated. Comprehensive ocular examination including slit lamp, cycloplegic refraction and fundus evaluation were done. IOP measurement and gonioscopic evaluation in cases of suspected glaucoma were performed.Results: Ocular diseases like ocular trauma, allergic conjunctivitis, adnexal infection and refractive errors were commonest conditions in rural group as compared to urban group with uncorrected refractive errors, conjunctivitis, cataract, strabismus being more common. Conclusion:Preventable childhood ocular diseases with potentially blinding effects are more common in rural population. Proper education will further reduce preventable blindness of these groups of rural backward population.

Background: Chronic blepharitis is frequently encountered by ophthalmologists. Demodex mites (Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis) can play a role in its pathogenesis, especially in treatment-resistant cases. Demodex infestation often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Definitive diagnosis can be made with lash-sampling. Objective of the study was to find the association between Demodex infestation and chronic blepharitis.Methods: The study included 80 patients diagnosed with chronic blepharitis and 80 controls without blepharitis. Four eyelashes were epilated from each lower and upper lids of the right and left eye (a total of sixteen samples) of each participant. Eyelash samples were examined under a light microscope and Demodex species were identified and counted.Results: Demodex mites were detected in 45 cases (56.25%) and 14 controls (17.5%). Significant association was found between demodex infestation and blepharitis as odd’s ratio was found to be 6.0612 and p value <0.0001. D. folliculorum was detected in 42 cases, D. brevis in 2 cases while in one case, both were detected. The mean age for Demodex positive cases and controls were 49.78±13.25 and 64±7.86 years, respectively. Amongst the cases, Demodex was detected in 57.69% males (30 out of 52) and 53.55% females (15 out of 28).Conclusions: There is significant co-relation between Demodex infestation and chronic blepharitis. Demodex infestation should be part of the differential diagnosis of chronic blepharitis.

Background: The study of the objective was to evaluate the different ocular problems and proper management in differently abled persons (DAP).Methods: A randomised analysis of 530 DAP were done by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Social workers and Psychologist, covering a few districts in North-East India, between August 2013 to July 2016 were included. Patients without parents’ consent were excluded. History was taken and IQ tested by Clinical Psychologist. Utmost care was taken during ocular examinations to obtain the best results. External ocular examination was done by slit lamp, ocular motility was tested, fundus examined by direct Ophthalmoscope, visual acuity tested by Cardiff cards and E-charts and refractive status determined by auto-refractometer.Results: Of the 530 persons examined, 304 (57.36%) male and 226 (42.64%) female; 144 (27.17%) were below and 386(72.83%) above 10 years. Mean IQ level was 44. A total number of 248 (46.8%) DAP had ocular problems. Most common being refractive error 115 (21.7%), squint 46 (8.68%), congenital ocular anomalies 34 (6.42%), cataract 28 (5.28%), Vitamin-A deficiency 15 (2.83%) and conjunctivitis 10 (1.89%).Among the 248 patients with ocular problems- 65 (26.21%) had down's syndrome, 6 (2.42%) maternal infections and drug exposures, 42 (16.94%) postnatal infections, 9 (3.63%) head trauma. 115 cases were prescribed spectacles; 21 cataract cases undergone operation; Vitamin-A deficiency, conjunctivitis and other ocular problems were properly managed.Conclusions: Regular and periodic eye examination of these DAP and providing them with visual aid, proper treatment along with intensive training and counselling can help them to function in the society as a normal person.

BACKGROUND Corneal transplantation or grafting is an operation in which abnormal corneal host tissue is replaced by healthy donor cornea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), corneal diseases are among the major causes of vision loss and blindness in the world today after cataract and glaucoma. The aim of the study is to-1. Evaluate the different aetiology of corneal opacity including active infective aetiology as indicated for penetrating keratoplasty. 2. Determine the clinical outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in relation to graft survival, graft rejection and peri-operative complications in different aetiology groups. 3. Determine the final visual outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS Candidates for keratoplasty were selected from-1. Eye Bank of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (R.I.O). 2. R.I.O OPD. The study period was from September 2014 to August 2015. 30 cases were taken in the study. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyse the data wherever necessary. RESULTS 34.6±19.73 yrs. (mean±SD) was the mean age at which transplants were done in the study. Out of total 30 cases, 13 (43.33%) and 17 (56.66%) were male and female, respectively. The different indications for penetrating keratoplasty are-Post ulcer corneal opacity in 14 cases (46.66%), posttraumatic corneal opacity 9 cases (30%), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy 4 cases (13.33%), corneal dystrophy in 2 cases (6.66%) and non-healing corneal ulcer in 1 case (3.33%). 16 cases (53.33%) showed clear graft till the last follow up while 11 (33.33%) cases showed partially clear graft resulting in improved visual outcome while 3 cases (10.00%) of the grafts were opaque due to graft failure. CONCLUSION The major indications for penetrating keratoplasty in this part of the world are post ulcer and posttraumatic corneal opacity and majority of them are illiterate agricultural workers who failed to get adequate treatment on time. Graft survival rate is high, which can be attributed to the gradual improvement in all the aspects of penetrating keratoplasty, be it the improved viewing system, effective medications to counter complications and better understanding of corneal physiology.