Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment Among Children Studying in Schools for the Blind in Central Development Region of Nepal

Authors

  • Jyoti Baba Shrestha BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Pragati Gautam Adhikari BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4812-2456
  • Gauri Shankar Shrestha BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nmj.v5i1.42151

Keywords:

Childhood blindness, Low vision, Vision impairment

Abstract

Introduction: This study was done to find out the causes of visual impairment in students studying in schools for the blind in the central development region of Nepal.

Materials and Methods: The study was done in six schools for the blind in the central development region of Nepal. It was conducted by a team of Eye care professionals using standard eye examination protocols of the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Program in the year 2009.

Results: A total of 133 students (5 - 21 years age group) enrolled in six schools for the blind were examined. 52.6% of children were visually impaired at birth and 12% developed vision impairment within one year of age. Twenty-one students (15.8%) had mild visual impairment, 5 students (3.8%) had severe visual impairment and 101 students (76%) were blind. The main cause of vision impairment was found to be lens-related anomaly 23.3% and retinal diseases, 18% followed by corneal lesions, 16.5%, and problems with the whole globe, optic nerve, and glaucoma accounting for 12.03%, 11.3%, and 7.5% respectively. The etiology could not be identified in 48.1% followed by hereditary causes (31.6%) and childhood factors (12%). Of the total students examined, 37.6% were visually impaired due to avoidable causes; preventable in 22.6% and treatable in 15% of cases.

Conclusions: A high proportion of childhood blindness in schools for the blind in the central development region of Nepal is avoidable.

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Author Biographies

Jyoti Baba Shrestha, BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal

Department of Ophthalmology

Pragati Gautam Adhikari, BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal

Department of Ophthalmology

Gauri Shankar Shrestha, BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Kathmandu, Nepal

Department of Ophthalmology

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Published

2021-06-30

How to Cite

Shrestha, J. B., Adhikari, P. G., & Shrestha, G. S. (2021). Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment Among Children Studying in Schools for the Blind in Central Development Region of Nepal. Nepalese Medical Journal, 5(1), 542–545. https://doi.org/10.3126/nmj.v5i1.42151

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Original Articles