Abstract
Aim
To discuss the aims, methods, and results of a population-based cross-sectional prevalence survey of children ≤15 years, in South India and compare it with a study conducted earlier, in the same area. We also discuss the changing trends in the domain of childhood blindness in India.
Methods
A population-based cross-sectional prevalence survey of children ≤15 years, in Pavagada and Madhugiri taluks of Tumkur district in Karnataka state in south India, was conducted in 2 phases. One trained medical-social-worker and one field-investigator identified eligible children and brought them to a makeshift clinic in the village school, where they were examined by an ophthalmologist. Children with minor problems were treated on the field and those with major conditions were referred to the pediatric ophthalmologist in the tertiary hospital. The prevalence of specific diseases were calculated in percentages.
Results
The prevalence of childhood ocular morbidity (COM) was 6.54%. Refractive errors (2.77%) constituted the major cause of COM. The prevalence of blindness (best corrected visual acuity of <3/60 in the better eye) was 0.09%. Whole-globe anomalies (25%) and uveal coloboma (25%) constituted the main cause of blindness.
Conclusion
A major proportion of the blindness was due to unavoidable causes. Unlike several earlier studies, corneal blindness is no longer the main cause of blindness. This shows that there is a changing trend in the pattern of childhood blindness in India. The current data demonstrate the need for low vision rehabilitative services and a review of public health strategy in India.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to sincerely thank the following people and organizations Swami Japanandaji, Chairman and all the staff of Shree Sharada Devi Eye Hospital and Research Centre, Pavagada, Karnataka, India. GKB Optolabs Private limited and GKB Hi Tech Lenses Private Limited, Bangalore, India, for providing free spectacles to the children found to have refractive errors in this project.
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Sources of support: This project was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) vide Ref: 5/4/6/2/09 – NCD-11 dated 22.03.2011.Pavagada Pediatric Eye Disease Study/Beyond Blindness
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Kemmanu, V., Giliyar, S.K., Shetty, B.K. et al. Emerging trends in childhood blindness and ocular morbidity in India: the Pavagada Pediatric Eye Disease Study 2. Eye 32, 1590–1598 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-018-0142-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-018-0142-z
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