English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Congenital ocular anomalies are one of the important causes of childhood blindness. Blindness is a serious public health issue, and also a social and economic problem worldwide. Majority of global blindness is avoidable and curable. Most of global blindness is in developing countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of congenital ocular anomalies in the paediatric age group and its associated risk factors in a tertiary care hospital in Kancheepuram. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted among children of 0 – 14 years age group attending the ophthalmology department of SRM Medical College and Hospital, Kancheepuram from December 2018 to November 2020. Congenital ocular anomalies were detected by detailed ocular examination and the type of congenital ocular anomaly was assessed. Associated risk factors like family history of congenital ocular anomalies, family history of consanguinity and significant antenatal history of the mother of the children were collected. RESULTS Out of 9865 cases, we found that 61 cases had congenital ocular anomalies. There was a male preponderance. Majority of the cases were in the age group 0 - 5 years. A positive history of consanguinity was present in 10 % of cases. The most commonly found cases were congenital cataract and congenital dacryocystitis. CONCLUSIONS Children with congenital ocular anomalies and functional vision should be given glasses and low vision aid. There is a great need for early screening, detection and treatment by paediatric or trained ophthalmologists in referral hospitals. KEYWORDS Congenital Ocular Anomalies, Paediatric Age Group, Prevalence