Clinical profile of childhood blindness in a tertiary eye care centre in central India

Objectives: To determine institution based incidence of childhood blindness and to study its clinical profile. Type of Study: An observational retrospective, institution based study. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary centre in central India from July 2014 to September 2016. Children who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. They were thoroughly examined in each of details. Data was entered in a prescribed format and was analyzed to know the clinical profile of childhood blindness. Results: A total of 44064 patients were examined in the study. 47 cases met the inclusion criteria. Institutional prevalence was 1.06 /1000 population and incidence was 0.34/1000 population. Maximum cases of blindness belong to 0-5 year's age and was more in females as compared to males. Corneal pathologies were leading cause of childhood blindness followed by trauma and congenital globe anomalies. Keratomalacia was a major cause of preventable childhood blindness. Conclusion: Childhood blindness is an important problem in the community. It should be dealt with proper planning. High percentage of childhood blindness is either preventable or treatable, so early detection and treatment is necessary.