Purpose: This study aims to determine prevalence and incidence of childhood blindness in a tertiary care centre of central India and study of various causes and risk factors of childhood blindness.

Material and Method: It is prospective observational institution-based case study. Children who met inclusion criteria were enrolled and thoroughly examined. All the data obtained were analyzed to know the clinical profile of childhood blindness in terms of age and sex presentation, various involved risk factors, causes and pattern of diseases occurrence.

Results: 47 case of childhood blindness were included in this study with prevalence of 1.06 per 1000 patients and incidence of 0.34 per 1000 patients for year 2015. Majority of cases of childhood blindness were from 0-5 years of age group (40.4%) with female child (53.2%) predominance. Corneal causes were responsible in 31.9% cases of childhood blindness with predominance of Keratomalacia (46.7%). In 53.2% cases preventable and treatable causes were responsible for childhood blindness in which chronic malnutrition leading to Vitamin A deficiency (14.89%) and trauma (14.89%) were major causes. Keratoplasty was excellent treatment option in 14.89% cases.

Conclusion: Major causes of childhood blindness are either preventable or treatable which include Malnutrition and Vitamin A deficiency predominantly in rural India. Our efforts should be guided to increase awareness for risk factors in society and to provide adequate treatment and care facilities at rural areas to prevent childhood blindness.

Keywords: childhood blindness, keratomalacia, corneal cause, keratoplasty.

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Dr Sanandan Patel

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