Final Report on Assessment of factors determining childhood blindness and its rehabilitation in blind school of Kathmandu valley, Nepal.
- c2018.
- vii,27p.
Thesis Report.
ABSTRACT:
Background: Blindness can occur at any age. According to IAPB, a paper published on 2nd Aug 2017 estimates 36 million people in world was blind and 217 million people live with severe or moderate visual impairment. Globally 19 million children visually impaired. Majority of blinding disease are either preventable or curable after timely interventions. Though awareness about various ocular disease increase childhood blindness still remains subject of major concern.
Methods: Study was descriptive, cross-sectional. Research team used Quantitative method. One hundred and eighteen students from three integrated schools were included in research. Questionnaire and evaluation sheets were filled up by interviewing, taking history, assessment of visual acuity, retinoscopy and ophthalmoscopy was done. Census was done for collection of data. SPSS 16.0 was used for analysis of data.
Results: Major pathology found to causing blindness was optic atrophy with 21%, total corneal opacity was 15% and CO associated with other pathology was 7%. Major age group was found to be 13- 15 years with 28% of total population. Best corrected visual acuity of 72% student falls under category 4th of ICD ninth revision. However sex ratio was 1.56. None of the students staying in these schools use Low vision devices.
Conclusion: Childhood blindness is subject of concern in our country Nepal. It can be clearly seen from our study major of disease causing blindness can be prevented or curable after early diagnosis and management. In case of adult major blinding diseases are cataract, glaucoma, ARMD, diabetes retinopathy but the scenario is different in case of children. Optic atrophy, RP, corneal opacity, Nystagmus was major cause behind blindness. Tertiary level eye care services should extend all over Nepal along with proper health education and counseling to prevent from such blinding eye diseases.