Prevalence of Congenital Colour Vision Deficiency in Belagavi, Karnataka, India: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Colour vision deficiency is a common ocular disorder, but it often goes unnoticed due to lack of awareness and screening programmes. If detected early in life, it can help people choose suitable career paths and genetic counselling can help reduce the birth of colour-blind children and future disappointments in life. Aim: To determine the prevalence of congenital Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD) among the general population in Belagavi at a tertiary level hospital and to spread awareness regarding CVD. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based crosssectional study, conducted at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India (tertiary care hospital), from February 2022 to July 2022. The study population constituted 3131 people who visited the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department for routine eye examinations. A detailed ophthalmological examination was done, and colour vision was tested using Ishihara’s (38 plate) pseudoisochromatic test. Data was analysed using statistical software version 4.2.1 and Microsoft excel. Results: The mean age of the study population was 40.74±15.86 years. The overall prevalence of congenital CVD was 150 (4.79%). The prevalence of congenital colour vision defects was 13 (0.9%) in females, and 137 (8.12%) in males (p-value <0.001). Deuteranomaly was the most common type of congenital CVD, found among 88 (58.67%), followed by protanopia among 28 (18.67%), followed by protanomaly and deuteranopia, each accounting for 17 (11.33%). Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD among people belonging to the Belagavi district was remarkable. The p