FP590 : OCULAR MORBIDITY AMONG RESIDENTS OF BLIND SCHOOLS IN WESTERN ODISHA

Dr.Sonali Sahoo

AIM : To study causes of blindness and visual handicap in blind schools of western Odisha. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional study; Visual acuity, external ocular examination and fundoscopy were done. “WHO/PBL Eye Examination Record for children with blindness and low vision” form was used to record anatomical and etiological causes of visual loss. OBSERVATION: Of 255 students, 85% were blind and 15% had severe visual impairment. Whole globe (microphthalmos, anophthalmos; 55%) was the commonest anatomical site of visual impairment followed by lens (cataract, aphakia, posterior capsular opacity; 25%) and cornea (10%). Hereditary and childhood factors were responsible for visual loss in 10%, etiology could not be determined in 78% cases.Overall 40% had avoidable causes of visual loss.CONCLUSION: More than 1/3rd of students were visually impaired for potentially avoidable reasons, indicating lack of eye health awareness in the community.