A survey of visual impairment in children attending the Royal Blind School, Edinburgh using the WHO childhood visual impairment database
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J Alagaratnam1, T K Sharma, C S Lim
1Department of Ophthalmology Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Childhood blindness in the UK is primarily caused by perinatal factors, hereditary diseases, and developmental issues. The World Health Organization
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Understanding the causes of childhood blindness is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
- The World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) methodology provides a standardized approach to assessing blindness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causes and evolving trends of childhood blindness in a UK school.
- To evaluate the applicability of the WHO/PBL methodology in a developed nation.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive eye examination was conducted on 107 children at a school for the blind and visually impaired in Edinburgh.
- The World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) childhood blindness assessment form was utilized.
Main Results:
- 81% of the 107 children examined were classified as blind or severely visually impaired (<6/60 corrected visual acuity).
- The leading causes of blindness were perinatal factors (40%), hereditary diseases (26%), and developmental issues (26%).
Conclusions:
- The etiological profile of childhood blindness in this UK study aligns with findings from other developed countries.
- The WHO/PBL form facilitates international and longitudinal comparisons of childhood blindness data.
- Enhancements to the WHO/PBL form, particularly for cerebral visual impairment, would improve its utility in developed countries.
Purpose:
To assess the aetiology and changing patterns of childhood blindness in one school for the blind in the UK and to assess the use of the World Health Organisation Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) methodology and reporting form in a developed country.
Methods:
One hundred and seven children in one school for the blind and visually impaired in Edinburgh were examined using the WHO/PBL childhood blindness assessment form.
Results:
Of the 107 children examined, 87 (81%) were blind or severely visually impaired (corrected visual acuity of <6/60 (20/200) in the better eye). Perinatal related blindness (40%), hereditary disease (26%) and developmental factors (26%) formed the three largest aetiological categories.
Conclusion:
The pattern of childhood blindness seen in this study was similar to reports from other developed countries. The WHO/PBL reporting form allows detailed comparisons between countries and over time. Additional fields for more detailed reporting of cerebral visual impairment and associated handicaps would increase the usefulness of the WHO/PBL form for population-based studies and for use in developed countries.
