Israr Ahmed Bhutto, Sadia Bukhari, Abdul Rashid Shaikh, Muhammad Siddique, Muhammad Faisal Fahim.
Causes of Blindness & Low Vision in Paediatric age Group 4-15 years, at a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital.
Ophthalmol Update Jan ;14(1):33-6.

Aim: To determine the causes of blindness and low vision in children age from 4 - 15 years at Tertiary Eye Care Hospital. Methods: It was observational, cross-sectional, descriptive type of study. The study was conducted at low vision clinic at paediatric eye department of Tertiary Care Hospital from 1st May, 2014 to April, 2015. All new and follow up patients aged from 4 - 15 years having visual acuity less than 6/18 to PL (Perception of Light) in better eye after medical or surgical treatment, or best available correction were included. The causes of low vision or blindness were classified according to main anatomical site of abnormality. Result: The study included 223 children with low vision and blindness. Male were 67.26% and female were 32.74%. The majority was 11 years of age and above. There were eighteen (18) diseases causing low vision and blindness in children, of which nystagmus (13.45%) was commonest followed by maculopathy (11.21%) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (8.97%). Conclusion: Low vision clinics are now a integral part of comprehensive eye care services. Every children need to examine regularly to diagnose low vision and its causes as early as possible. Nystagmus, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Maculopathy are mainly responsible for low vision in children. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists must be aware about the benefits and value of using low vision devices in children.

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