FP940 : Screening of students at the time of admission in a school for visually challenged in North India.

Dr.SHAIK MOHAMMED ZAKIR

Purpose:

To screen children seeking admission to a school for visually challenged and to identify the cause of blindness.

Material and Methods:

A cross sectional study was done at a school of North India at the time of admission. A thorough ocular examination was done.

Results:

19 students were screened (14 male and 5 female), mean age was 11.15 years (Range 7-20 years). Five students had no perception of light while three had only light perception bilaterally. Highest visual acuity recorded was 6/60 (two). Most common cause for visual handicap was Retinitis pigmentosa (six, 31.57%) and other Retinal dystrophies (six, 31.57%). Anophthalmos and congenital glaucoma each in two, microphtahlamos, congenital cataract and optic atrophy each in one student. Four had parental consanguinity and eight had other siblings affected.

Conclusion:

Retinal dystrophy was the commonest cause and parental consanguinity was frequent. Screening of family members and genetic counselling should be advised.