Causes of vision impairment and blindness among children in schools for the blind in South Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Panda, Lapam; Khanna, Rohit C; Metla, Asha Latha; Marmamula, Srinivas; Pehere, Niranjan K; Keeffe, Jill

doi:10.4103/ijo.ijo_923_19

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Most of the previous studies conducted in India had about 60% males and 40% females. [ 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ] Two other studies conducted in Allahabad and Uttar Pradesh had a similar gender ratio like ours. [ 16 17 ] That gender-based discrimination in healthcare and education for children in India is well established.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Clinical profile and error of inclusion and exclusion in schools for the blind in Bangalore and a review of literature

Kemmanu

Tayde

Venkatesh

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in schools for the blind in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka and to determine the error of inclusion and exclusion from these schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Children in four schools for the blind were subjected to a detailed ophthalmic evaluation. The World Health Organization Program for Prevention of Blindness low-vision form was used to collect data. To know the educational background of children with visual disability of 40% or more (best-corrected visual acuity of ≤6/24 in the better eye), not in schools for the blind, we collected data by telephonic conversation after procuring their phone numbers from our low-vision clinic. Results: One-hundred-seventy-eight children were examined. The major site of anomaly causing blindness in 31% of children was optic nerve, followed by retina (24%), cornea (23%), and whole globe (22%). Avoidable blindness was 35.42%. Thirteen percent of the children with no visual disability were incorrectly enrolled in blind schools. We were able to contact 92 children with a visual disability of ≥40%. Seventy-eight children (84.78%) attended regular schools; these schools were bereft of a specially trained teacher to look after the needs of the blind. Conclusion: Avoidable blindness is still a cause for concern. Children should undergo eye-examination before being enrolled in schools for the blind to avoid errors of inclusion. Though integrated education for children with vision disability is a good approach, it requires teachers trained in teaching skills particular to blindness. Education for the visually impaired in India needs a major revision.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Clinical profile and error of inclusion and exclusion in schools for the blind in Bangalore and a review of literature

Kemmanu

Tayde

Venkatesh

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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“…In an earlier study involving children enrolled in blind schools across South Africa, O’Sullivan et al (1997) reported that corneal scarring attributed to vitamin A deficiency and/or measles infection accounted for avoidable vision impairment in 27 children (5%). The percentage of cases due to corneal opacity/scarring in the present study and previous studies in South Africa are lower than the percentages reported in studies in other developing countries (Gyawali et al, 2017; Gyawali & Moodley, 2017; Ilechie et al, 2020; Panda et al, 2020) (12%–24%) and may reflect the better levels of perinatal care and success of primary health care interventions aimed at measles/rubella immunisation and vitamin A supplementation in South Africa (Baker, 2010; du Plessis et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 89%

“…This finding differs from other studies where it was noted that the most common site was the lens mostly as a result of cataracts and aphakia in Eritrea ( n = 55, 22.1%) (Gyawali et al, 2017) and Ghana ( n = 75, 29.8%) (Ilechie et al, 2020). A study conducted in India noted that the most common site was the whole globe category mostly as a result of phthisis bulbi and microphthalmos ( n = 83, 32%) (Panda et al, 2020). These findings corroborate the trend that specifically cerebral visual impairment in the normal globe category is not often observed in samples of children with vision impairment in developing countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical characteristics and causes of vision impairment in a paediatric population in a university-based low vision clinic

Rampersad

Mashige

2022

British Journal of Visual Impairment

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Paediatric vision impairment is a significant public health issue because of the associated health and economic consequences. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and causes of vision impairment in paediatric patients who presented to a university-based low vision eye clinic in KwaZulu-Natal. The study used a retrospective design and included all paediatric patients with vision impairment who were younger than 18 years and presented to the university-based low vision eye clinic between January 2015 and December 2019. The sample consisted of 156 children with vision impairment with a similar proportion of males ( n = 82) and females ( n = 74). The mean age of the children was 13.5 ± 2.8 years, with a range of 5–17 years. Based on the best-corrected visual acuity (VA), most of the children ( n = 111) had moderate vision impairment (VA worse than 6/18 to 6/60). The most common causes of paediatric vision impairment included albinism ( n = 54), refractive error ( n = 11), cataract ( n = 10), and glaucoma ( n = 10). The retina ( n = 74) and normal globe ( n = 26) were the most affected anatomical sites. Spectacles were prescribed to almost half of the sample ( n = 76). A total of 126 optical and non-optical devices were recommended with telescopes ( n = 43) and sun-protective measures ( n = 20) being the most common. Paediatric vision impairment can have a negative impact on the quality of life. Local data related to the characteristics of children with vision impairment can be used to enhance the services provided in this university-based low vision clinic. This is important as efforts aimed at early identification, management, and rehabilitation will help minimise functional limitations and improve the quality of life of affected children.

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“…This is comparable to a previously reported study from a school for the blind in the same region. [ 16 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 15 ] The “Initiative for Screening Children for Refractive Errors and other Eye Health Needs (I-SCREEN)” project aims to address this lacuna by conducting vision screening programs in the schools in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, South India. We have published the data from the schools for the blind,[ 16 ] and for the Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh previously. [ 15 ] This study aims to report the VI prevalence, risk factors, and ocular morbidity among school children from four different regions in Telangana, India.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations in the prevalence of vision impairment across regions among school children in Telangana State, South India

Prakash,

Marmamula,

Mettla

et al. 2023

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose: Undetected vision impairment (VI) could negatively affect the overall development in children. School vision screening program is a viable and cost-effective approach for the early identification and management of VI. Aim: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of VI, its risk factors, and ocular morbidity among school children in Telangana, South India. Methods: Children aged 4–15 years attending schools in the study area were screened in this study. The vision screenings were performed in schools by trained community eye health workers using 6/12 tumbling E optotypes. Children who failed the test and/or presented with other eye conditions were referred to vision centers or secondary and tertiary eye care centers. A comprehensive eye examination was conducted in these centers, including cycloplegic refraction and fundus examination. Results: A total of 774,184 children, with a mean age of 9.4 ± 3.27 years, were screened. Overall, 51.49% (N = 398,596) were male. In total, 4.33% [N = 33,528; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.29–4.38] required referral services, while 1.16% (N = 9,002) had a presenting visual acuity of < 6/12. Multivariate analysis showed a high risk of VI among older children [Adj. odds ratio (OR): 5.75; 95% CI: 5.18–6.38], those with disabilities (Adj. OR: 5.12; 95% CI: 4.14–6.33), female gender (Adj. OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.24 - 1.35), and those residing in the urban areas (Adj. OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 2.42–3.39). The main cause of VI was uncorrected refractive errors (74.14%). Conclusion: The prevalence of VI among school children was 1.16% in Telangana, South India, and refractive error was the leading cause of VI among this population. Increasing age, urban location, female gender and other disabilities increase the risk of VI among children.

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Causes of vision impairment and blindness among children in schools for the blind in South Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Cited by 16 publications

References 17 publications

Clinical profile and error of inclusion and exclusion in schools for the blind in Bangalore and a review of literature

Clinical profile and error of inclusion and exclusion in schools for the blind in Bangalore and a review of literature

Clinical characteristics and causes of vision impairment in a paediatric population in a university-based low vision clinic

Variations in the prevalence of vision impairment across regions among school children in Telangana State, South India

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