Evaluation of the etiologies and rehabilitation status of patients with blindness: A prospective observational study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Preventive measures and appropriate rehabilitation are important in reducing the social burden of blindness. This study was to evaluate the etiologies, proportions, and level of rehabilitation for patients with blindness. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study with 1000 visually impaired patients was conducted. The data regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), etiologies, curable or incurable blindness (IB), treatments, awareness, and state of rehabilitation were collected and reviewed. Results: The ratio of curable to IB was 0.82:1. The proportion of blindness rises after 40, even while the proportion of curable blindness (CB) increases after 60. The male–female ratios were 1.25:1 and 1:1.66 in the cases of CB and IB, respectively. On the other hand, the male–female ratio for childhood blindness was 1.66:1. Cataracts (78.22%) were the most common cause of CB, whereas diabetic retinopathy (24%), corneal opacity (17.5%), and trauma (12.4%) were causes of IB. Patients with illiteracy, low SES, and female gender were more likely to develop IB. There were low enrollment rates at the blind school and poor rehabilitation, mainly because of a lack of knowledge. Conclusion: Diabetic retinopathy, corneal opacity, and trauma are the major causes of IB. IB and poor rehabilitation were more profound in women and were associated with illiteracy, low SES, and a lack of awareness.