Severe Visual Impairment And Blindness Research Articles

Distribution and causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children at a tertiary referral centre in Rwanda

AimTo determine the prevalence and the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in children at a tertiary referral centre in Rwanda.MethodsIn this retrospective study, files of all patients...

Health, education, and social care provision after diagnosis of childhood visual disability

AbstractAimTo investigate the health, education, and social care provision for children newly diagnosed with visual disability.MethodThis was a national prospective study, the British Childhood Visual Impairment and Blindness Study 2 (BCVIS2), ascertaining new diagnoses of visual impairment or severe visual impairment and blindness (SVIBL), or equivalent vision. Data collection was performed by managing clinicians up to 1‐year follow‐up, and included health and developmental needs, and health, education, and social care provision.ResultsBCVIS2 identified 784 children newly diagnosed with visual impairment/SVIBL (313 with visual impairment, 471 with SVIBL). Most children had associated systemic disorders (559 [71%], 167 [54%] with visual impairment, and 392 [84%] with SVIBL). Care from multidisciplinary teams was provided for 549 children (70%). Two‐thirds (515) had not received an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Fewer children with visual impairment had seen a specialist teacher (SVIBL 35%, visual impairment 28%, χ2 p < 0.001), or had an EHCP (11% vs 7%, χ2 p < 0.01).InterpretationFamilies need additional support from managing clinicians to access recommended complex interventions such as the use of multidisciplinary teams and educational support. This need is pressing, as the population of children with visual impairment/SVIBL is expected to grow in size and complexity.What this paper adds One year after visual disability diagnosis, one in three children had not received the recommended care from a multidisciplinary team. Two‐thirds had not yet received the recommended Education, Health, and Care Plan. There is an under‐provision of recommended care, despite significant and complex need.

Progression to severe visual impairment and blindness in POAG patients: pace and risk factors—a cohort study using German health claims data

ObjectiveGlaucoma is a leading cause of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/B) worldwide. Hence, it is of utmost importance to explore relevant risk factors and study the pace of progression...

Smartphone usage among people living with severe visual impairment and blindness

ABSTRACT Low vision care and rehabilitation is often limited by access to assistive devices, especially in low-resourced countries, due to their high cost and unavailability. Smartphones have the potential to serve as an alternative assistive device for people living with severe visual impairment and blindness (SVIB). This study aims to investigate the use of smartphones among people living with SVIB. The study was a cross-sectional study of 166 people living with SVIB in a low resourced setting. The participants were recruited from two tertiary institutions and four eye care facilities. A questionnaire was administered to all respondents and for those who could not read prints they were read out to them and their responses recorded. The majority of respondents (n = 88, 53.1%) either had no phone or used a basic phone. The prevalence of smartphone usage among people living with SVIB was found to be 46.90% (n = 78). Most respondents use their smartphones to interact on social media [n = 75 (96%)] and web browsing [n = 69,92%]. The most frequently demanded [n = 22 (44%)] smartphone functionality by the respondents was the image and color description feature. Most participants were unaware that 90% of their functionality demands already existed and were compatible with current smartphones. A significant number of people living with SVIB in this study used smartphones; however, most users are unaware of its full functionality and assistive capabilities.

Assessment of quality of life, mental health and ocular morbidity in children from schools for the blind in North-East India.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to describe causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL), and assess the mental health and quality of life of children in schools for the blind in North-East India in two phases.Methods:A total of 515 children were examined in 17 schools for the blind in the first phase of study across eight states in North-East India, 6 in Assam, 2 each in Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, 1 each in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim. WHO/PBL eye examination record was used to document findings. In the second phase of study, mental health and quality of life were objectively measured using depression anxiety stress scales (DASS) and low-vision quality of life (LVQOL) questionnaires in 442 children.Results:Approximately 3.1% of children had SVI and 71.84% of children were blind. Anatomical sites of SVI/BL were the whole globe in 44.85%, cornea in 17.66%, and retina in 11.65% of children. The underlying cause of visual loss was undetermined in 55% of children. Hereditary pattern was observed in 1.35% of cases. Approximately 74.94% of children were either blind or severely visually impaired since birth. DASS score revealed that 56.56% of children manifested some levels of anxiety and stress while 85.52% had some reduction in quality of life.Conclusion:A large significant number of these children suffered from potentially preventable and/or treatable cause of SVI/BL. Though nonvisual factors such as physical and mental health were strong predictors of quality of life, this study proves that visual impairment also plays a considerable role in one's quality of life in a population with low vision.

Prevalence and causes of childhood blindness in Huidong County, South China, primary ascertained by the key informants

PurposeThe aim of this study is to ascertain the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in Huidong, South China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in early...

Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in students in schools for the blind in Northwest Ethiopia

ObjectivesTo determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) among students in schools for the blind in Northwest Ethiopia and to identify preventable and treatable causes.MethodStudents attending nine...

Causes and emerging trends of childhood blindness: findings from schools for the blind in Southeast Nigeria

AimTo ascertain the causes severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in schools for the blind in southeast Nigeria and to evaluate temporal trends.MethodsAll children who developed blindness at <15 years...

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.

Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in the Republic of Suriname

AimsTo determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in children in Suriname (Dutch Guyana) and to identify preventable and treatable causes.Methods4643 children under 16 years of age...

Incidence of Blindness and Severe Visual Impairment in Germany: Projections for 2030

Estimates of the incidences of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/B) and their causes are key to good health service planning. Thus, the database of Germany's largest state's blind registry was used to estimate current incidence rates (IR) and to project rates for Germany in 2010 and 2030. The sample consisted of 3328 blind/severely visually impaired individuals newly registered between 2000 and 2008. According to German law, SVI and B were defined as visual acuity equal to or below 20/1000 and 20/400, respectively, in the better seeing eye. Data of the reference population were stratified by age and sex and were used to estimate current IRs. Standardized IRs were estimated for Germany for 2010 and 2030 using national demographic projections. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accounted for 50% of all incidence of SVI/B (5.56/100,000 personyears (PY), followed by glaucoma (15%; 1.65/100,000 PY) and diabetic eye disease (10%; 1.16/100,000 PY). All current IRs will rise by 2030, with the most pronounced increase in AMD. By 2030, a national AMD IR of 9.5/100,000 PY is expected, accounting for 57% of all incidence of SVI/B in Germany. The incidence of SVI/B in women will be more than twofold compared to men in 2030 (9187 vs. 3716 incident cases in 2030). There will be a dramatic increase of SVI/B by 2030 in Germany, leading to a substantial increase in the need for health and social service provision, with a focus on visually impaired elderly women.

Childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in Malaysia: a nationwide study

To determine the causes of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in schools for the blind in Malaysia. All children ≤ 15 years attending 24 schools for the blind throughout the country were examined using the WHO Prevention of Blindness Programme (WHO/PBL) eye examination record for children, and visual loss was classified according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD). In all, 469 children were examined, of whom 448 (95.6%) had BL/SVI. The major causes of visual loss were retinal disorders (n=148, 33%; mainly retinopathy of prematurity (n=78, 17.4%)), cataract/pseudophakia/aphakia (n=77, 17.2%), and anomalies affecting the whole globe. (n=86, 19.2%). The major underlying etiology was undetermined (n = 193, 43.1%), followed by hereditary factors, 21.7% (mainly retinal dystrophies), and perinatal factors, 20.5%. More than 34 (7.6%) cases were considered potentially preventable and 192 (42.9%) potentially treatable. Diseases of the retina are the major cause of visual impairment, with retinopathy of prematurity being an important avoidable cause. This reflects expansion of neonatal services in Malaysia, and improved survival of very low birth weight and preterm babies. Lens-related causes of visual impairment reflect the need to further improve pediatric ophthalmology services in Malaysia.

A Survey of Severe Visual Impairment and Blindness in Children Attending Thirteen Schools for the Blind in Sri Lanka

Purpose: To identify the causes of blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in children attending schools for the blind in Sri Lanka, and to provide optical devices and ophthalmic treatment where indicated.Methods: Two hundred and six children under 16 years from 13 schools for the blind in Sri Lanka were examined by a team of ophthalmologists and optometrists. Data were entered in the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Eye Examination Record for Childhood Blindness (WHO/PBL ERCB).Results: Of the 206 children, 83.5% were blind (BL = Visual acuity [VA] <3/60), and 9.2% had severe visual impairment (SVI = VA <6/60 to 3/60 in the better eye). The major anatomical site of BL/SVI was the retina in 35.9% of cases, followed by the whole globe in 22.4% of cases. The major underlying aetiologies of BL/SVI were unknown in 43.8% of cases and hereditary in 37.5%. Avoidable causes of BL/SVI accounted for 34.9% of cases; retinopathy of prematurity made up the largest proportion of this subgroup. One third of the children required an optical device to improve their vision.Conclusion: Just over one third of the children in schools for the blind in Sri Lanka had potentially avoidable causes of BL/SVI. Vision could also be improved in a third of children. The data support the need to develop specialized pediatric ophthalmic services, particularly in the face of advancing neonatal life support in Sri Lanka, and the need for increased provision of optical support.

Using Key Informant Method to Assess the Prevalence and Causes of Childhood Blindness in Xiu’shui County, Jiangxi Province, Southeast China

Background: Although childhood blindness is relatively rare, it is the leading cause of blind person years besides cataract. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in southeast China.Methods: The study took place across four administrative units in Xiu’shui County. Sixty key informants were trained by an ophthalmologist to identify possible cases of childhood BL/SVI (children < 16 years with presenting visual acuity < 6/60 in the better eye) in their own communities. The possible cases were referred to a hospital for further examination by a pediatric ophthalmologist, to ascertain case status and determine the cause of BL/SVI.Results: In total we found 8 cases of childhood BL/SVI from a total population of approximately 27,000 children. The prevalence of childhood BL/SVI was therefore 0.3/1000 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.1–0.5/1000). The prevalence of blindness (< 3/60) was 0.2/1000 (95% CI: 0.04/1000–0.4/1000) and the prevalence of SVI (< 6/60–3/60) was 0.07/1000 (95% CI: 0–0.17/1000). The main cause of BL/SVI was posterior segment disease (87.5%). Half of the cases were potentially treatable.Conclusions: The study has documented a low prevalence of childhood BL/SVI in southeast China. Despite the low prevalence, half of the cases were potentially treatable if earlier medical action was taken, suggesting the prevalence could be reduced further still. The Key Informant Method is simple to implement and an efficient method for case finding in China.

A Survey of Visual Impairment and Blindness in Children Attending Four Schools for the Blind in Cambodia

Purpose: To identify the causes of blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in children attending four schools for the blind in Cambodia and to provide spectacles, low vision aids, orientation and mobility training and ophthalmic treatment.Methods: Children < 16 years of age were recruited from all 4 schools for the blind in Cambodia. Causes of visual impairment and blindness were determined and categorized using World Health Organization methods.Results: Of the 95 children examined, 54.7% were blind (BL) and 10.5% were severely visually impaired (SVI). The major anatomical site of BL/SVI was the lens in 27.4%, cornea in 25.8%, retina in 21% and whole globe in 17.7%. The major underlying etiologies of BL/SVI were hereditary factors (mainly cataract and retinal dystrophies) in 45.2%, undetermined/unknown (mainly microphthalmia and anterior segment dysgenesis) in 38.7% and childhood factors in 11.3%. Avoidable causes of BL/SVI accounted for 50% of the cases; 12.9% of the total were preventable with measles being the commonest cause (8.1% of the total); 37.1% were treatable with cataracts and glaucoma being the commonest causes (22.6% and 4.8% respectively). More than 35% of children required an optical device and 27.4% had potential for visual improvement with intervention.Conclusion: Half of the BL/SVI causes were potentially avoidable. The data support the need for increased coverage of measles immunization. There is also a need to develop specialized pediatric ophthalmic services for the management of surgically remediable conditions, to provide optometric, low vision and orientation and mobility services. Genetic risk counseling services also may be considered.

Causes and temporal trends of childhood blindness in Indonesia: study at schools for the blind in Java

Aims:To ascertain the causes of blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI) in schools for the blind in Java, to identify preventable and treatable causes and to evaluate temporal trends in...

Prevalence and causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children in Mongolia

background Reliable epidemiological data on the prevalence and causes of visual loss in children are difficult to obtain, but are essential for planning. No such data are available from Mongolia. aim To determine the prevalence and causes of severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) in children from a defined area of Mongolia, using several methods of identification. methods Children with presenting visual acuities of <6/60 in the better eye who lived in 10 of the 18 provinces (Aimaks) were identified 1) by family doctors 2) in the school for the blind 3) by visiting eye departments in the capital. All eligible children were examined (or data extracted from hospital records) and the cause of visual loss determined using the WHO classification system. results Sixty-four children with SVI/BL before refraction were identified who lived in the 10 study Aimaks. They were recruited by family doctors (52); by home visits (3); from hospital records (4); or from the school for the blind (5). The prevalence of SVI/BL before refraction was 0.19/1,000 children (95% CI 0.16–0.22), decreasing to 0.16/1,000 after refraction (95% CI 0.13–0.19) but there was considerable variation from Aimak to Aimak. The major causes of SVI/BL were lesions of the lens (34%), central nervous system disorders (19%), lesions of the whole globe (e.g. microphthalmos) (14%), and retinal conditions (12.5%). Hereditary factors were responsible for 27% of causes, and 17% of children were blind following acquired conditions of childhood. The underlying cause could not be determined in 48%. The causes of SVI/BL was analysed in a further 16 children who lived outside the study Aimaks to compare the causes in children in special education with those not in schooling, and by age. conclusion The prevalence estimate obtained was lower than anticipated, and possible reasons are discussed. The pattern of causes of SVI/BL is similar to that in children in schools for the blind in China, but is very different from other Asian countries. Meningococcal meningitis was the most common preventable cause of SVI/BL, and immunisation is being considered. Other preventable causes were rare, and the majority of children needing surgical intervention had already been identified and referred for treatment. The control of blindness in children could possibly be improved by better management of conditions requiring surgery, and by the provision of low vision devices.