The prevalence of SCA1 is high (7.2%) in this ethnic Tamil community with a large asymptomatic group waiting to manifest. The symptomatic individuals need social support and rehabilitation. Appropriate counseling, prenatal evaluation and therapy will prevent the spread of disease to the next generation.

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BACKGROUNDCataract and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) are the leading causes of painless progressive loss of vision in the world. Surgery is the most productive and cost-effective treatment for patients suffering from Cataract and POAG. As the incidence and prevalence of Cataract with POAG is on the rise, the requirement of more skilful surgeons specialized in combined surgery is the need of the hour.The objectives of this study were-1) to develop a simple and effective technique in surgical treatment for cataract and glaucoma. 2) to make it easier to transform from being a cataract surgeon alone to a combined cataract and glaucoma surgeon.3) To compare the outcome of single site cataract surgery and trabeculectomy over two site surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODSOver two-years period, 30 patients diagnosed as cataract with primary open angle glaucoma underwent single site or two site combined small incision cataract surgery and trabeculectomy and were subjected to IOP measurement before and after surgery. The mean Intraocular pressure before and after surgery was compared to arrive at the results. Intra-operative and immediate post-operative complications are noted. Filtering bleb formation is noted. RESULTSReduction of mean IOP by 5.7 mmHg (22%) in the single site surgery group compared to simple trabeculectomy and two site surgery was seen. No significant intra-operative and post-operative complications were experienced in single site surgery. Filtering bleb formation is seen in all cases who underwent single site surgery in the immediate post-operative period. CONCLUSIONThe single site combined small incision cataract surgery and trabeculectomy is an effective, easier and less time-consuming technique that can be mastered by every sutureless cataract surgeon.

Visual disability may be due to many possible causes, but it is catastrophe beyond compare. It adversely affects the quality of life and emotional well being of the individual and their families. This impairs the productivity of the country. The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude, causes, percentage/ categories of visual disability and their rehabilitative measures available.