Spectrum of young visually disabled patients reporting for disability certificate at tertiary eye care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Visual impairment as a form of disability that can causes social isolation. The study emphasis on factors of Visual impairment and their health outcome. Aim & Objective: The study analyse the demographic profile and causes of visual disability in patients below 40 years attending the tertiary eye care hospital and its implementation in health planning. Material &Methods: 172 patients with visual disability were chosen as subjects. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical history and complete ocular examination. The main causes of blindness, visual Impairment in these patients were determined in terms of age group and category and percentage. Results were compared with data from studies on blindness certificates and population based studies. The data was analysed and categorise according to the guidelines for visual disability by ministry of social justice and empowerment of government of India. Results- out of 172 patients, 41.27% were in the age group of 31- 40 years, 64.53% were found to be males and 18.02% were having 100% visual disability.73.25% cases belong to rural area. Ocular trauma is found to be most common causes of monocular blindness(20.93%). Retinitis pigmentosa found to be a major cause (21.51%) of visual disability in binocular blindness mostly inyoung adults. Conclusion: It is also important to raise awareness about getting treatment immediately following injuries. Increasing RP cases might be connected to rising consanguinity and shortage of genetic counselling.