Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Subjective Refraction Test Using a Smartphone for Vision Screening
Published on: October 18, 2024
Magnitude and Temporal Trends in Avoidable Blindness in Children (ABC) in India
Venkata S Murthy Gudlavalleti1,2,3
1Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, India. murthy.gvs@iiphh.org.
Insights
Globally, 1.4 million children are blind, with childhood blindness impacting child health. Early detection and comprehensive eye care are crucial for managing avoidable childhood blindness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood blindness affects 1.4 million children globally, serving as a key indicator of child health and healthcare services.
- Childhood blindness contributes significantly to 'blind years lived', second only to adult cataract.
- Under-five mortality rates are often used to estimate childhood blindness prevalence in low- and middle-income countries due to data collection challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the global burden of childhood blindness.
- To emphasize the importance of early detection and comprehensive eye care systems for children.
- To underscore the need for identifying causes and preventable aspects of childhood blindness.
Main Methods:
- Utilizes World Health Organization estimates for global prevalence.
- References data on childhood blindness prevalence in India (0.8 per 1000 children).
- Discusses common anatomical sites and etiological factors, including hereditary causes and unidentified causes in South Asia.
Main Results:
- An estimated 19 million children are visually impaired, with 1.4 million blind.
- In South Asia, specific causes of blindness remain unidentified in 38.2%–68.4% of cases.
- Less than 50% of childhood blindness is considered avoidable, necessitating robust eye care interventions.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive eye care system is essential for addressing both avoidable and incurable childhood blindness.
- Early detection and prompt management are critical for the success of programs aimed at reducing avoidable blindness in children.
- Addressing childhood blindness requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved diagnostics and accessible healthcare services.
Abstract:
The World Health Organization estimates that 19 million children are visually impaired, among whom, 1.4 million are blind. Childhood blindness is an excellent indicator of the state of child health and primary care services in a country. Childhood blindness is important not just due to the number of children blind but also because the number of years that the surviving child has to live with blindness (blind years lived). Childhood blindness is next only to adult cataract in terms of the number of blind person years lived. Under-five mortality rates have been used as a proxy measure to compute the prevalence of childhood blindness in low and middle income countries due to limitations of other methods of data collection. In India, it is estimated that there are 0.8 blind for 1000 children. Whole globe lesions, corneal scarring, retinal pathology and afflictions of the lens are important anatomical sites in children. Causes operating in childhood and hereditary causes are important in etiology of childhood blindness. In 38.2%-68.4% cases across the region, a specific cause of blindness could not be identified in South Asia. The proportion of blindness that can be prevented or treated (avoidable) in children is less than 50%. Therefore a comprehensive eye care system needs to be in place to cater to the needs of children with avoidable and those with incurable blindness. Early detection and prompt management are critical for success of programs targeting avoidable blindness in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
01:25Glaucoma: Overview