Profile of Visual Handicap in a Medical College in Eastern India

Dr. Kali Shankar Das; Dr. Nabanita Barua; Dr. Vaibhav Gupta; Dr. Alok Kumar Kundu

Volume : IX, Issue : IX, September - 2019

Profile of Visual Handicap in a Medical College in Eastern India

Dr. Kali Shankar Das, Dr. Nabanita Barua, Dr. Vaibhav Gupta, Dr. Alok Kumar Kundu

Abstract :

Aim: To analyze various diseases causing visual handicap in a district in eastern India based on certificates issued by ophthalmic surgeons. Materials and Methods: Patients were included in the study after detailed history and examination, both from outpatients and handicap board from January to November 2018. Information was analyzed using MS excel. Result: Two hundred people were visually handicap during this period. Majority of patients presented with unavoidable causes (congenital abnormalities 36.25%, optic atrophy 13%, age related macular degeneration 4%, retinitis pigmentosa in 3.5%). Cases of preventable causes were diabetic retinopathy (6%), glaucoma (4.5%), corneal scar (11%). Conclusion: High prevalence of congenital cases was found this study. Early diagnosis and management is required to prevent blindness arising out of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Measure needs to be taken to prevent bilateral cases of corneal scarring. Such steps are proper health education, treatment of malnutrition, vaccination and inadvertent use of systemic medications.