A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE TYPE AND CAUSE OF BLINDNESS/LOW VISION IN APPLICATIONS FOR BLINDNESS CERTIFICATE PRESENTING IN CHAMBA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

SMRITI SHARMA; SHALOO NEGI; ADITYA KASHYAP

doi:10.22159/ijcpr.2024v16i4.4091

Authors

SMRITI SHARMA Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Govt Medical College Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India
SHALOO NEGI Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Govt Medical College Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India
ADITYA KASHYAP Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Govt Medical College Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijcpr.2024v16i4.4091

Keywords:

Visual impairment, Blindness, Corneal opacity, Retinitis pigmentosa, Public health, Socio-economic impact, Literacy, Employment, India

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence, causes, and socio-economic impacts of visual impairment in the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, India. It seeks to identify the major factors contributing to visual disability and the role of literacy and employment status in influencing the lives of the visually impaired.

Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted over a period of one year, enrolling patients from the outpatient department of ophthalmology who were applying for visual disability certification. The study utilized a randomized sampling method and a semi-structured interview along with an examination form for data collection. Ethical approval was obtained, and the study adhered to ICMR and Helsinki Declaration guidelines. Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0.

Results: Among the 270 participants evaluated, a higher prevalence of visual impairment was observed in males (n=149) compared to females (n=121), particularly within the age group of 21-40 y. The leading causes of visual disability included Corneal Opacity (16.25%), Retinitis Pigmentosa (15.83%), and Congenital Malformation (14.17%). Furthermore, literacy played a crucial role in employment opportunities, with 75.83% of the literate participants being employed, indicating a significant impact on the socio-economic status.

Conclusion: The study highlights the multifaceted nature of visual impairment in the Chamba District, emphasizing the need for integrated public health strategies to address the identified challenges. Enhancing preventive measures, improving access to healthcare, and supporting rehabilitation services are essential steps towards mitigating the burden of visual impairment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

World Health Organization. 2020: the right to sight. Vision; 1999.

World Health Assembly. Universal eye health: a global action plan 2014-2019. World Health Organization; 2013.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. National blindness and Visual Impairment Survey India 2015-2019 report; 2019.

Pascolini D, Mariotti SP. Global estimates of visual impairment: 2010. Br J Ophthalmol. 2012;96(5):614-8. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2011-300539, PMID 22133988.

Bourne RR, Flaxman SR, Braithwaite T, Cicinelli MV, Das A, Jonas JB. Magnitude, temporal trends, and projections of the global prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(9):e888-97. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30293-0, PMID 28779882.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. (n.d.). Guidelines for certification of the visually impaired; 2011.

Raman U, Gupta A, Krishna M, Pal R, Kulothungan V, Sharma T. Analysis of prevalence and outcomes of cataract surgery in India: national blindness survey. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(6):717-22. doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.136217.

Sommerburg O, Keunen JE, Bird AC, Van Kuijk FJ. Fruits and vegetables that are sources for lutein and zeaxanthin: the macular pigment in human eyes. Br J Ophthalmol. 1998;82(8):907-10. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.8.907, PMID 9828775.

Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya’ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP. Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ. 2004;82(11):844-51. PMID 15640920.

Pooja HV, Venkate Gowda HT, Gowda HT. Study on ocular morbidity in eye camp patients in a rural medical hospital. Indian J Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2021;7(2):389-91. doi: 10.18231/j.ijceo.2021.077.

Ambastha A, Kusumesh R, Sinha S, Sinha BP, Bhasker G. Causes of visual impairment in applications for blindness certificates in a tertiary center of Bihar and its role in health planning. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2019;67(2):204-8. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_837_18, PMID 30672470.

Joshi RS. Causes of visual handicap amongst patients attending outpatient department of a medical college for visual handicap certification in central India. J Clin Ophthalmol Res. 2013;1(1):17-9. doi: 10.4103/2320-3897.106275.

Robinson R, Deutsch J, Jones HS, Youngson Reilly S, Hamlin DM, Dhurjon L. Unrecognised and unregistered visual impairment. Br J Ophthalmol. 1994;78(10):736-40. doi: 10.1136/bjo.78.10.736, PMID 7803347.

Muñoz B, West SK. Blindness and visual impairment in the Americas and the caribbean. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002;86(5):498-504. doi: 10.1136/bjo.86.5.498, PMID 11973241.

Patil B, Pujar Ch, Manasa CN, Malikarjun CS. Study of causes of visual handicap amongst patients attending outpatient department for visual handicap certification in a medical college of Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. Med Innov. 2015;4(2):13-6.