Abstract
Aim: To determine the prevalence of childhood blindness and ocular morbidity among children <16 years old in tribal population of Jharkhand. Study design: A population based cross sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted in the department of ophthalmology, in tertiary care Centre of Jharkhand from Dec 2022 to Sep 2023. 678 Childrens from tribal populations <16 years who attended the OPD were screened. Ocular examination (visual acuity-UCVA, BCVA, slit lamp examination, IOP, fundus examination with 20 D or 90 D) was done. Syringing and probing, Schirmer test, TBUT test was done. Ocular movements were checked. Results: The prevalence of ocular morbidity was 13.78 %. Most common ocular morbidity encountered was refractive error (5.47%) followed by allergic conjunctivitis (2.05%). The prevalence of blindness (BCVA<3/60 in better eye) was 0.08 %. Cataract, uveal coloboma, RP and ROP were the main cause of blindness. Conclusion: Majority of blindness was due to unavoidable causes.
