Visual Impairment among School Going Paediatric Group Children in Rural Areas of Bihar and Jharkhand: A Population Based Study

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to ascertain the prevalence and cause of low vision/ blindness in children of the rural population of the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand and justify the investment done on a population based survey for the particular age group. Material and Methods: The documentation of 1500 children was done with respect to their demographic data and ophthalmological examination. Results: The prevalence of childhood blindness was observed to be 0.2% with a predilection to female sex. The most common cause of visual impairment was uncorrected refractive error with incidences of blindness caused due to correctable condition of congenital cataract. Conclusion: Keeping in view of the life expectancy of 68 years in India, it can be reasonably stated that the number of years of visual impairment that can be shunned by these children oriented population based programs will have a significant impact on the burden being posed.