Prevalence Of Severe Visual Impairment Research Articles

The Prevalence of Severe Visual Impairment and Blindness Among Primary School Children in Arar, Saudi Arabia.

Background Childhood visual impairment has a major impact on the growth and development of children at all levels. The affected children are likely to experience psychological issues and less successful social integration. Besides healthcare providers, researchers, teachers, and parents can play a vital role in reducing the burden of this global health issue. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among children attending all primary schools in Arar to measure the prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness. The uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity was assessed and the prevalence of visual impairment was determined in line with the WHO guidelines. Results A total of 781 Saudi children aged between six and 12 years participated in this study. These included 403 (51.6%) females and 378 (48.4%) males. The prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness according to WHO classification was found in 14 and seven children, respectively. Conclusions The prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness in primary school children in Arar is high. The burden of visual impairment can be reduced by improving the approach toward early screenings and timely addressing the factors associated with such visual impairment in children.

Regional Disparities in Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Cataract Surgical Coverage and Ocular Findings in Adults 50 Years and Older in Brazil: A Comparative Analysis between Two Population-Based Cross-Sectional Surveys Performed Within a 10-Year Interval

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate disparities in the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness, cataract surgical coverage, and ocular findings in older adults from two Brazilian geo-socio-demographic areas, São Paulo and Parintins cities. Methods Data from two population-based studies including participants 50 years and older from the cities of São Paulo (São Paulo Eye Study – SPES, 2004) and Parintins (Brazilian Amazon Region Eye Survey – BARES, 2014) were aggregated. Results A total of 5318 participants (3677 from SPES;1641 from BARES) were included. The prevalence of severe visual impairment (SVI) and blindness were, respectively, 0.74% (0.46–1.02) and 0.77% (0.48–1.05) in SPES and 1.72% (1.09–2.35) and 3.44% (2.55–4.33) in BARES. SVI and blindness were associated with BARES study [OR = 2.27 (1.30–3.95); p = .004 - SVI] [OR:4.07 (2.51–6.60); p < .001- blindness]; and older age [OR = 10.93 (4.20–28.45); p < .001 - SPES; OR = 17.96 (8.75–36.83); p < .001 - BARES] while higher education level was a protective factor [OR = 0.21 (0.05–0.95) - SPES; p = .042; OR = 0.21 (0.05–0.91); p = .037 - BARES]. Cataract was the main cause of bilateral severe visual impairment (25.93% in SPES and 64.29% in BARES) and bilateral blindness (21.43% in SPES and 35.71% in BARES). Cataract surgical coverage was significantly lower in BARES (36.32%) compared to SPES (57.75%). Conclusion The prevalence of SVI and blindness was three times higher in older adults from the Brazilian Amazon compared to those living in São Paulo city, despite a 10-year interval between the two studies. These disparities should be mitigated by initiatives to promote access to eye care services targeting underprivileged and remote Brazilian areas.

Visual impairment and blindness caused by posterior segment diseases in Hungary in people aged 50 years and older

Introduction: Posterior segment diseases are the most common causes of blindness and visual impairment in devel-oped countries among people aged 50 years and older in Hungary. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness caused by posterior segment diseases in the population aged 50 years and older in Hungary. Method: 105 census enumeration units were randomly selected with a probability proportional to size by the Hungar-ian Central Statistical Office. The standardised Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) method was used. Participants underwent eye examination with a direct ophthalmoscope. Participants underwent visual acuity testing with a Snellen tumbling E-chart with or without a pinhole. Dilated fundus examination was performed in diabetic participants using an indirect binocular ophthalmoscope. Results: In total, 3523 (95.9%) out of 3675 eligible people were examined, of whom the prevalence of bilateral blind-ness and severe visual impairment was 0.7% and 0.2%, respectively. The most common causes of visual impairment caused by posterior segment diseases were age-related macular degeneration (1.419%), glaucoma (0.397%), diabetic retinopathy (0.341%) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (0.198%). The most common causes of blindness caused by posterior segment diseases were age-related macular degeneration (37.5%), glaucoma (16.7%), diabetic retinopathy (8.3%), high myopia (8.3%), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (8.3%) and retinitis pigmentosa (8.3%). Conclusion: Prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness caused by posterior segment diseases was lower compared to results of RAAB surveys in other countries. The frequency order of different posterior segment diseases was in line with developed countries. Availability of eye care should be improved and financing should be modernized due to the continuously increasing number of patients with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes and pathologic myopia.

Prevalence of severe visual impairment and barriers to access eye care services in the Udupi district

Aim: To assess the prevalence of severe visual impairment (SVI) and reasons for not accessing eye care services in a field practice area of a tertiary care hospital.&#x0D; Study design: Cross-sectional observational study.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Through a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling, a total of 1510, individuals above 18 years of age, from six rural and maternity welfare centers (RMCW) within a distance of 20 km from a tertiary hospital were approached. All participants underwent basic assessment of visual acuity, anterior segment evaluation using torch light, and answered a structured questionnaire on eye care.&#x0D; Results: Of 1510 subjects, 267 had SVI (defined as visual acuity &lt; 6/60 either in one or both eyes) with a prevalence of 17.7%. SVI was higher among men and those above 60 years of age (52.8%). Significant association was found between barriers to accessing eye care facilities and lack of knowledge to access health care (p = 0.004), lack of financial support (95% CI, p = 0.006), and social reasons (95% CI, p = 0.028). Prevalence of SVI among diabetics was 32.7% as compared to non-diabetics (OR: 2.630; 95% confidence interval: 1.864–3.712), and among hypertensives was 34.61% as compared to non-hypertensives (OR: 2.836; 95% confidence interval: 1.977–4.068).&#x0D; Conclusion: In spite of being close to a tertiary care center, a prevalence of SVI in 17.7% of this population indicates a lack of knowledge regarding the importance of self-health care in subjects. This emphasizes the need to increase the awareness among the general public to access the ophthalmic health care facilities in order to improve the ocular health of the patients.

Using different definitions affected the reported prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children born very preterm.

We investigated the impact of varying definitions on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in children born very preterm at 6.5years of age. Cognitive development and neurosensory impairments were assessed in 91 children (40/51 girls/boys) born <32 gestational weeks, in 2004-2007 in Uppsala county, Sweden. The results were compared with data from a reference group of 67 children born full term. The prevalence of NDI in the present cohort was reported according to definitions used by seven contemporary studies of children born very or extremely preterm. The prevalence of severe NDI varied from 2% to 23% depending on the definition used. The prevalence of cognitive impairment varied from 2% (-3 SD according to test norms) to 16% (-2 SD according to control group), the prevalence of cerebral palsy from 0% (severe) to 9% (any) and the prevalence of severe visual impairment from 0% (blindness) to 1% (visual acuity<0.3). There were no children with severe hearing impairment. A high variability in definitions affects the reporting of the prevalence of NDI in long-term follow-up studies of very or extremely preterm born children. There is a need for a better consensus to enable comparisons across studies.

FAKTOR PREDIKTOR GANGGUAN PENGLIHATAN BERAT DAN KEBUTAAN PADA PENDERITA DIABETES DI DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA

Predictors of severe visual impairment and blindness among diabetic patients in Special Territory of YogyakartaPurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify any predictors of severe visual impairment and blindness among diabetic patients in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.MethodsThis research was a cross-sectional study by analyzing registry data from (JOGED.COM). Data included sociodemographic characteristics, diabetic status, health record, and eye diseases. The analysis was done using chi-square and simple logistic regression tests follow with semi-partial correlation, stratification tests and multilevel analysis with Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE).ResultsAs much as 1093 data were included in this study. The prevalence of severe visual impairment was 12% and blindness was 6.5%. Cataract, diabetic retinopathy and diabetes duration &gt;10 years were statistically significant with severe visual impairment and blindness while glaucoma and hypertension only significant with severe visual impairment. The contribution of cataract in severe visual impairment (4.73%) and blindness (3.11%) was highest among eye diseases. There was modification effect of cataract to severe visual impairment and blindness by diabetes duration. Based on GEE, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and diabetes duration &gt; 10 years was the best model to predict the occurrence of severe visual impairment and blindness.ConclusionsPredictors of severe visual impairment and blindness among diabetic patients in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta were the cataract, diabetic retinopathy and diabetes duration &gt;10 years. Modification effect of cataract by diabetes duration only was significant in a model to predict blindness.

Prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in population aged 50 years and over in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness and other degrees of vision impairment in people aged 50 years and older in North Kordofan state, Sudan, using the Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness methodology. Design: Cross-sectional, population-based survey. Participants: Forty-three clusters of 50 people aged 50 years and older were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling of clusters. Households within clusters were selected through compact segment sampling. A total of 2167 eligible persons were selected, of whom 2032 (93.8%) persons were examined. Materials and Methods: Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination in their houses by trained ophthalmic teams, including measurement of visual acuity (VA) with a tumbling-E chart and the diagnosis of the principal cause of visual impairment. Results: The prevalence of bilateral blindness (presenting VA < 3/60) was 8.37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: ±1.60), the prevalence of severe visual impairment (VA < 6/60–3/60) was 2.71% (95% CI: ±0.59) and the prevalence of bilateral visual impairment (VA < 6/18–6/60) was 9.06% (95% CI: ±1.76) in the sample. Definite avoidable causes of blindness (i.e., cataract, refractive error, trachoma and corneal scarring) were responsible for 76.5% of bilateral blindness. Cataract was the major cause of blindness (60.6%), followed by Glaucoma (20%). Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness in people aged 50 years and older in North Kordofan state was higher than that expected for Sudan. The main cause of blindness was Cataract, followed by Glaucoma. More than 75% of blindness was due to avoidable causes.

Using key informants to estimate prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in Cross River State, Nigeria

To assess the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness in Cross River State, Nigeria, using the key informant (KI) method. KIs were selected and trained and requested to bring children to identified facilities 2weeks after training for examination by a specialist team. Visual acuity and cause of impaired acuity were assessed. Children at a Cross River State school for the blind were also assessed. An estimated prevalence of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in the Cross River State was calculated. A total of 742 KIs were included. The prevalence of BL/SVI in Cross River State was estimated to be 0.09-0.22 per 1,000 children. The three most common anatomic causes are lens related (35%), whole globe (19.4%), and corneal (15.7%), most of which are avoidable. The prevalence of childhood BL/SVI in Cross River State was somewhat lower than expected but similar to other recent reports from Africa. Lens-related causes were the most common. KIs performed well, ensuring that many children in need of eye services were examined.

Prevalence of Blindness and Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Hainan Province in South China

To define the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment (VI) in people in rural Hainan using the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) and to report the outcomes of cataract surgery among the residents. Population-based, cross-sectional survey. A total of 6482 rural residents of the Hainan province. A total of 136 clusters, each of which consisted of 50 people aged ≥50 years, were selected through probability-proportionate-to-size sampling. Door-to-door visits were performed by 2 outreach teams. Visual acuity (VA) was measured on site, and those with VA <6/18 in either eye were examined by an ophthalmologist. Causes of blindness and VI were determined. The causes of poor visual outcome after cataract surgery were evaluated. Information regarding barriers to receiving surgery was collected by trained interviewers. Prevalence and causes of blindness (VA <3/60), severe VI (SVI) (VA <6/60 but ≥3/60), and VI (VA <6/18 but ≥6/60) based on presenting VA (PVA) were assessed. Outcomes of cataract surgery performed in public and private hospitals and charitable organizations were compared. A total of 6482 subjects were examined (response rate, 95.3%). The sample prevalence of blindness was 4.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-6.8). The prevalence of SVI and VI was 1.9% (95% CI, 0-4.3) and 9.9% (95% CI, 7.6-12.2), respectively. Age and sex were associated with increased prevalence of blindness, SVI, and VI. Overall, cataract accounted for approximately 60% of blindness and SVI. Of the 524 eyes that had received cataract surgery, 87.2% had intraocular lenses implanted, 21% had a poor visual outcome (PVA <6 /60), and 20% had a borderline visual outcome (PVA <6/18 but ≥6/60). Eyes that received surgery in charitable organizations had a higher rate of intraocular lens implantation and good visual outcome (VA ≥6/18) compared with eyes that were operated on elsewhere. The prevalence of blindness, SVI, and VI was high among rural residents in Hainan. Cataract remained the leading cause of avoidable blindness. Outcomes of cataract surgery performed in public hospitals were suboptimal. Quality-control initiatives should be introduced to improve cataract surgery outcomes.

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness and Cataract Surgical Services in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in persons 50 years of age and older, and to assess the impact of cataract surgical services.Methods: In this cross-sectional population-based survey, 72 clusters of 50 people 50 years and older were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling. Households within clusters were selected through compact segment sampling. Participants underwent an ophthalmic examination in their homes, including measurement of visual acuity (VA) with a tumbling-E chart and diagnosis of the principal cause of visual impairment. Patients who had been operated on were questioned about details of their cataract surgery.Results: Three thousand six hundred eligible subjects were selected, of whom 3,436 (95.5%) were examined. The prevalence of bilateral blindness (presenting VA < 3/60) was 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9%–2.9%); prevalence of severe visual impairment was 0.99% (95% CI, 0.98%–0.99%); and prevalence of visual impairment (VA of < 6/18 and ≥ 6/60) was 5.4% (95% CI, 4.6%–6.2%) in the sample. Unoperated cataract accounted for 52.4% of blindness and 70.6% of severe visual impairment. Cataract surgical coverage among people at 3/60 was 68.9%. Overall, 58.6% and 69.6% of the 191 eyes that had undergone cataract surgery had VA greater than or equal to 6/18 with available correction and best correction respectively.Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness in this population in Kilimanjaro Region was low, reflecting high cataract surgical coverage from an outreach program. Even with high cataract surgical coverage, cataract remains the leading cause of vision loss and an emphasis on quality is needed.

Prevalence and Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment in Plateau State, Nigeria

AIM: to assess the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in persons 50 years and above in Plateau state METHOD: seventy clusters of 60 persons 50 years and above were selected by probability proportional to size. Households were selected by the random walk method and all persons eligible in the household had their eyes examined. Visual acuity was assessed with the Snellen chart and all persons with visual acuity less than 6/18 in any eye had the eye examined to determine the major cause of blindness/visual impairment. RESULTS: 4115 persons (98% response rate) were examined. Bilateral blindness prevalence was 4.2% (95% CI: 4.1-4.3). The prevalence of severe visual impairment was 6.7% (95% CI: 6.5-6.9) while that for visual impairment was 15.8% (95% CI: 15.3-16.3). 80% of the causes of blindness, 83% of the causes of severe visual impairment and 88% of the causes of visual impairment were avoidable with cataract, uncorrected Aphakia and refractive errors being the major causes. CONCLUSION: the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment are high and most of the causes are avoidable. There is a need to develop an eye care plan including cataract surgery and refraction services to reduce the causes of blindness and visual impairment.

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness in Kunming, China

To estimate the magnitude and causes of visual impairment (VI) in people aged > or = 50 years in Kunming using the Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness methodology, and to assess the prevalence of a pupillary defect in participants diagnosed as cataract visually impaired. Population-based cross-sectional survey. We enrolled 2760 residents of Kunming prefecture in southwest China, >50 years of age. Forty-six clusters of 60 people were selected based on population proportional to size. Households from each cluster were selected using compact segment sampling (CSS) or quota sampling when CSS was not feasible. Visual acuity (VA) was assessed using a tumbling E chart. Lens status and cause of VI were determined by ophthalmologists using direct ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil where necessary. The pupillary reaction was assessed on undilated pupils when VI was detected. Prevalence of blindness (VA<3/60), severe VI (SVI) (VA<6/60), and VI (VA<6/18) using presenting VA (PVA). The causes of blindness and VI and prevalence of a pupillary defect in the cataract visually impaired were also assessed. Of 2760 enumerated residents, 2588 were examined. The sample prevalence of bilateral blindness was 3.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-4.6%). The prevalence of SVI was 3.0% (95% CI, 2.2-3.8%), and of VI was 9.1% (95% CI, 7.5-10.7%). The main cause of blindness was cataract (63.2% of blindness), followed by nontrachomatous corneal scar (14.7%), glaucoma (7.4%), and other posterior segment disease/neurologic disorders (4.2%). A pupillary defect was detected in 16% of those diagnosed with cataract VI. The cataract surgical coverage in the bilaterally blind was 58.9%, and 45% of operated eyes had good outcome with available correction (VA>6/18). The main barrier to cataract surgery was cost. Cataract remains the most important cause of preventable blindness in this poor region of China, and affordable provision of surgery would help to address this problem. Some cases of cataract blindness may not be preventable owing to preexisting comorbidity, as detected by the presence of a pupillary defect.

Incidence of blindness during the Onchocerciasis control programme in western Africa, 1971-2002.

Infection with Onchocerca volvulus is associated with the prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness. However, longitudinal studies of the incidence of blindness caused by onchocerciasis are scarce. The relationship, at the individual level, between infection with O. volvulus microfilariae and bilateral blindness was examined, by use of data collected, during the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in western Africa (OCP), from 2315 villages in 11 countries. The data were analyzed by Poisson maximum-likelihood techniques with adjustment for overdispersion. A total of 297,756 persons were eligible for follow-up in the cohort, and, during 1971-2001, these persons accumulated 367,788 person-years of follow-up without blindness. A total of 673 bilateral cases of blindness occurred during this period; 29.7% were caused by onchocerciasis. After ivermectin therapy was introduced (during 1988-2001), only 19.6% of cases were caused by onchocerciasis. The incidence of blindness was significantly and positively associated with increasing microfilarial burden (P<.001). Overall, female subjects had an ~40% lower risk of becoming blind than did male subjects (P<.001). After an initially high incidence of blindness at the beginning of the OCP, the rate of blindness from causes other than onchocerciasis remained approximately constant during follow-up. We demonstrate, in a comprehensive data set and in both sexes, a direct relationship between microfilarial load and the incidence of blindness.

Prevalence of optic atrophy and associated ocular and systemic diseases in a department of paediatric ophthalmology

Optic atrophy is one of the most common causes of severe visual impairment in children. So far an analysis of ocular and systemic findings comparing patients with and without optic atrophy has not performed. Ocular and systemic findings of a total of 1042 patients (examination of all patients in May 1995 [N = 485] and May 2001 [N = 557]) of the department of paediatric ophthalmology in Homburg/Saar were retrospectively evaluated and diagnoses of patients with and without optic atrophy were compared. Optic atrophy was diagnosed ophthalmoscopically and in 1/3rd of the patients by VEP as well. 18 % of all patients (N = 188; 87.2 % [N = 164] were children) had optic atrophy. Nearly half of these children were prematurely born (46.7 %). 53.2 % of patients with optic atrophy (N = 88) showed nystagmus (without atrophy: 10.7 %), especially sensory defect nystagmus. Median of visual acuity level was 0.2 with optic atrophy and 0.8 without. Albinism and buphthalmia were common findings. 69.5 % of all patients with optic atrophy suffered from systemic diseases (without atrophy: 25.2 %), especially mental retardation, neurologic findings and oculocutaneous albinism. In 10.4 % more than two systemic diagnoses could be found. 55.3 % of all the patients with optic atrophy were disabled, 31.9 % multiply disabled. Sequelae of prematurity, peripartal asphyxia and congenital brain damages are the main findings in patients with optic nerve atrophy. Such children are worst-case patients of any paediatric ophthalmology department with a high prevalence of severe visual impairment, mental retardation and multiple disability. Treatment in a specialised center is therefore necessary for an efficient therapy. In addition, the statistical survey shows that in children who survived the critical phases of prematurity secondary damages can lead to persistent impairment and to alterations of visual and general development.

Cataract blindness in Paraguay – results of a national survey

PURPOSE To estimate the burden of visual loss and blindness due to cataract in people aged 50 years and over in Paraguay. METHODS Forty clusters of 60 persons each who were 50 years and older (2400 eligible persons) were selected by systematic random sampling from the entire population of Paraguay.A total of 2136 persons were examined (89% coverage). RESULTS For the population 50 years and over, the age- and gender- adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness (VA < 3/60 with available correction) was 3.14% (95% CI: 2.2–4.4). The adjusted prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness (VA < 3/60) was 2.01% (95% CI: 1.3–3.0), making cataract the major cause of bilateral blindness in this age group (64%). The adjusted prevalence of bilateral severe visual impairment (VA < 6/60 with available correction) was 5.17% (95% CI: 3.9–6.7) and the adjusted prevalence of severe visual impairment due to bilateral cataract (VA < 6/60) was 3.09% (95% CI: 2.2–4.3). The cataract surgical coverage (persons) was 44% for bilaterally blind persons with VA < 3/60; 36% for persons with bilateral VA < 6/60; and 28% for any eye with VA < 6/60 due to cataract. With IOL implantation, 77% of the operated eyes could see 6/18, against 46% of the non-IOLs (p < 0.005), a significant better outcome. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to increase the cataract surgical coverage in Paraguay. The number of eye surgeons is adequate but the accessibility of cataract surgical services in rural areas and the affordability of surgery to large sections of society are major constraints.

Characteristics of a paediatric low vision population in a private eye hospital in India

SummaryWhile private hospitals provide an important access point for low vision services for children in urban India, little is known about this service delivery route. A cross sectional survey was done of consecutive records of 220 children presenting at a newly opened paediatric low vision centre in a private eye hospital in Hyderabad. On presentation, 49% of the children were classified as moderately visually impaired, 31% were severely visually impaired and 20% were blind. The four major causes of visual impairment were the hereditary/genetic conditions of congenital glaucoma, hereditary macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and albinism. Approach magnification was sufficient for required near tasks in all pre‐school children and about 50% of school children. Provision of a distance refraction decreased the prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness by 31%. The most commonly prescribed low vision devices were spectacles indicating a key role for optometry in the management of visual impairment in Indian children. Establishment of low vision clinics in existing Indian eye hospitals using associated optometric staff would be a cost effective method to minimise visual impairment in Indian children.

Characteristics of a paediatric low vision population in a private eye hospital in India

While private hospitals provide an important access point for low vision services for children in urban India, little is known about this service delivery route. A cross sectional survey was done of consecutive records of 220 children presenting at a newly opened paediatric low vision centre in a private eye hospital in Hyderabad. On presentation, 49% of the children were classified as moderately visually impaired, 31% were severely visually impaired and 20% were blind. The four major causes of visual impairment were the hereditary/genetic conditions of congenital glaucoma, hereditary macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and albinism. Approach magnification was sufficient for required near tasks in all pre-school children and about 50% of school children. Provision of a distance refraction decreased the prevalence of severe visual impairment and blindness by 31%. The most commonly prescribed low vision devices were spectacles indicating a key role for optometry in the management of visual impairment in Indian children. Establishment of low vision clinics in existing Indian eye hospitals using associated optometric staff would be a cost effective method to minimise visual impairment in Indian children.

Visual Deficits and Mobility Evaluation and Management

The prevalence of severe visual impairment increases with age. Additionally, visually impaired elders are much more likely to have mobility restrictions than their normal-sighted peers. Specifically, individuals with visual impairment between 65 and 74 years of age are three to four times more likely to have difficulty walking, going outside, and getting in and out of bed. This article reviews the eye and vision problems associated with aging and discusses management options.

Ocular defects in children and adolescents with severe mental deficiency.

To assess the need for eye care in children and adolescents with severe mental deficiency, a cross-sectional study of the prevalence and causes of ocular defects amongst these individuals was conducted. Two hundred and sixty residents in a mental handicap unit were examined from January 1992 to June 1993. It was found that there was an unusually high prevalence of severe visual impairment (25%), refractive errors (24%), squint (8%) and a number of organic ocular diseases (8%). All the patients studied were non-verbal and 18% of them were deaf. Only 23 patients could walk. The results emphasize the need for establishing an efficient system to provide regular ophthalmic care for children with severe mental deficiency.

The prevalence of severe visual impairment in children in the Netherlands.

The prevalence of severe visual impairment in children in the Netherlands.