Publication: Causes of vision impairment and assessment of need for low vision services for students of blind schools in Nepal
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The present study is first of its kind to evaluate causes of visual impairment of blind students in Nepal and
assess their need for low vision rehabilitation services.
Aim: To evaluate causes of vision impairment of students enrolled in blind schools in Nepal and assess the need for low
vision rehabilitation services in these students.
Materials and methods: A survey was conducted in 12 blind schools in Nepal, which were registered with Nepal
Association for Welfare of Blindness (NAWB).It was conducted by a team of an ophthalmologist and an optometrist, by
using standard eye examination protocols of the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Program (WHO/
PBL).
Results: Of the 345 students enrolled in 12 schools, 285 students were examined (response rate of 82.61%). The students
were in the 5 - 29 years age group. Nearly three-fourth of the children had become blind within one year of age and
52.3% visually impaired at birth and 20.7% developed vision impairment within one year of age. After refraction, 26
students (9.12%) had mild visual impairment, 21 students (7.37%) had severe visual impairment and 238 students
(83.51%) were blind. The main cause of vision impairment was found to be corneal 35.79% and retina diseases, mainly
dystrophy, 20.35% followed by problems with the whole globe, lens and optic nerve, accounting for 13.33%, 12.63%
and 12.98% respectively. The major etiological factors were those of childhood such as Vitamin A deficiency, measles
and similar causes (42.11%) followed by hereditary causes (25.26%). Of the total students examined, 48.07% were
visually impaired due to preventable causes and 16.14% treatable aggregating to 64.21% of avoidable blindness. Fifty
seven (28.22%) students could read smaller than 2 M print size after low vision assessment for near and 33(15.78%)
students benefited with telescopic trial for distance low vision.
Conclusion: In Nepal, renewed focus on providing best possible quality of life for visually impaired children by proper
low vision assessment and eye health education focusing on, general public and community health workers, with
governmental and institutional support is required to achieve Vision 2020 objectives to decrease childhood blindness.
Key words: childhood blindness, Nepal, blind school study, low vision, vision impairment
Description
Kansakar I 1 , Thapa HB 1 , Salma KC 1 , Ganguly S 1, Kandel RP2 , Rajasekaran S 1
1 Lumbini Eye Institute, 2 Seva Foundation, Seva Canada Society, Nepal