Evaluation of registered visually disabled individuals in a district of West Bengal, India

Abstract

Objective:To identify the sociodemographic characteristics, degree and cause of visual disability among certified visually disabled individuals in a rural district of West Bengal, India and to identify possible lacunae, if any, in the existing certification system.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study by secondary data analysis of medical records of 155 visually disabled individuals and their 310 eyes. Demographical features, diagnosis, percentage of visual disability and work activity status of each individual were analyzed.Results:One hundred and thirty one (84.52%) individuals had 100% disability. The number of males was significantly higher than that of females. Fifty eight (37.42%) individuals were below 21 years of age. Phthisis bulbi was the most common cause followed by microphthalmos. Further, 81.29% patients had the same lesion bilaterally.Conclusion:Patients with higher grades of disability have attended certification boards. A large number of disabled individuals comprised children and young adults. Male gender bias demands concern.

Study of Pattern of Visual Impairment in Patients Seeking Visual Disability Certificate

“…9 which observed that 80% of the blind individuals in the rural areas are without any source of income. Similar findings were noted in study by Gosh et al 8 In this study, patients with 100% disability formed the majority group. A similar finding was noted by Kareemsab et al, 6 Gosh et al 8 and Bunce et al 10 Congenital malformations was the leading cause for visual disability in our study followed by retinitis pigmentosa and refractive errors.…”

“…Similar findings were noted in study by Gosh et al 8 In this study, patients with 100% disability formed the majority group. A similar finding was noted by Kareemsab et al, 6 Gosh et al 8 and Bunce et al 10 Congenital malformations was the leading cause for visual disability in our study followed by retinitis pigmentosa and refractive errors. This is similar to the findings of the study by Kareemsab et al, 6 Ghosh et al 9 The causes were preventable in 41.19% of the patients.…”

“…This could be attributed to the fact that certification system is institution based and females may not be able to access it due to social obstacles. This finding is in accordance with the findings of the study conducted by Kareemsab et al, 6 Joshi et al 7 and Gosh et al 8 However, in the 58th round of the NSSO survey 9 , nearly 54% of the total visual impaired individuals were females and the remaining 46% were males, depicting a female gender bias.…”

“…This suggests that certification is sought for educational, employment and conveyance benefits which are more likely to serve the purpose of young individual than the elderly. Study by Gosh et al 8 also showed similar results. Unemployment in our study was consistent with the findings of the NSSO survey.…”

A Study to Determine Visual Disability in a Tertiary Eye Care Centre in State of Odisha.

“…They found congenital and developmental anomalies were present in 38.71%. [3] However in our study congenital and developmental anomalities present as high as 55.7% of eyes. Patients with amblyopia, anophthalmos, microcornea, macular dystrophy, microphthalmos, nanophthalmos, retinoblastoma, retinitis pigmentosa, choroidal coloboma were included in congenital and developmental anomaly group.…”