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Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:263-265 doi:10.1136/bjo.87.3.263
  • World views

Childhood blindness in India: a population based perspective

  1. R Dandona1,2,
  2. L Dandona1
  1. 1Centre for Social Services, Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, India and International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
  2. 2Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Rakhi Dandona, Centre for Social Services, Administrative Staff College of India, Bella Vista, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad - 500 082, India; rakhi{at}asci.org.in
  • Accepted 29 April 2002

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in children in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Methods: These data were obtained as part of two population based studies in which 6935 children ≤15 years of age participated. Blindness was defined as presenting distance visual acuity <6/60 in the better eye.

Results: The prevalence of childhood blindness was 0.17% (95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.30). Treatable refractive error caused 33.3% of the blindness, followed by 16.6% due to preventable causes (8.3% each due to vitamin A deficiency and amblyopia after cataract surgery). The major causes of the remaining blindness included congenital eye anomalies (16.7%) and retinal degeneration (16.7%).

Conclusion: In the context of Vision 2020, the priorities for action to reduce childhood blindness in India are refractive error, cataract related amblyopia, and corneal diseases.

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