Abstract

STUDY DESIGN- Retrospective cross section study
PURPOSE- To identify the causes of blindness and visual impairment among children
METHOD- total 227 cases of childhood blindness and visual impairment by consecutive sampling record based data of last 6 years at hospital. age group of children between 1-15yr.
RESULT- Maximum proportion belonged to 12-15 years age group(54.19%)followed by21.59% in 9-11 years and 17.62% in 6-8yr age group. minimum 6.61% belonged to 3-5yr age group.maximum 80.61% congenital cause in which 16.39% iridofundal coloboma followed by phthisical(12.02%),pathological myopia(8.74%),chorioretinal degenration and corneal opacity(8.20%)and minimum coats disease, sturge weber and congenital toxoplasmosis.in 19.39%acquired causes maximum due to trauma(38.64%), refractive error(6.82%), retinopathy of prematurity(9.09%).
CONCLUSION- childhood blindness is predominantly due to congenital causes& all most 20% cases were blind due to avoidable causes.