IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-6-11157 Original Research Paper A STUDY OF ANATOMICAL CAUSES OF BLINDNESS IN CHILDREN FROM WESTERN RAJASTHAN Avisha Mathur Dr. June 2017 6 6 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Introduction: Childhood blindness refers to a group of diseases and conditions occurring in childhood or early adolescence (<16 years of age), which, if left untreated, result in blindness or severe visual impairment that are likely to be untreatable later in life. Childhood blindness could be grouped according to the anatomical structure affected into different groups. Material and methods: This study was done at MDM hospital Jodhpur in Department of Ophthalmology from Jan 2015 to June 2016 and children less than 16 years of age attending OPD of MDM hospital and blind schools within and near Jodhpur with blindness or severe visual impairment were enrolled. The part of the eye which had been damaged and leading to visual loss is identified (such as cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, whole globe). Where two or more anatomical sites were involved the major site was selected, or where two sites contributed equally, the most treatable condition was selected. Results: In our study the major site of abnormality causing blindness was lens in 84(29.58%) patients followed by whole globe in 78(27.47%) of patients. Third most common site of abnormality was optic nerve in 51(17.96%) patients. Cornea, retina and uvea were the major site of abnormality in 26(9.16%), 25(8.80%) and 9(3.17%) patients respectively. We found that main cause of blindness was cataract/pseudoaphakia in 80(28.17%) patients followed by optic nerve atrophy in 48(16.9%) patients. Other important causes of blindness were anophthalmos and microphthalmos in 23(8.1%) and 22(7.75%) cases respectively. Retinal dystrophy was cause of blindness in 18(6.34%) patients followed by corneal opacity in 13(4.58%) patients. Conclusions: The major site of abnormality causing blindness was lens in 84(29.58%) patients followed by whole globe in 78(27.47%) of patients. Third most common site of abnormality was optic nerve in 51(17.96%) patients. We found that main cause of blindness was cataract/pseudoaphakia in 80(28.17%) patients followed by optic nerve atrophy in 48(16.9%) patients.