Title: Ocular Disability Profile at a Hilly District Hospital of Northern India
Authors: Dr Arti Sareen, Dr Mudita Gupta, Dr Mukta Sharma, Dr Kusum Bhanoo
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i10.164
Abstract
Aim: To study the various causes and severity of visual handicap at a District Hospital of Northern India, in accordance with the disability certificate issued over a period of three months.
Material and Methods: Records of patients obtaining visual handicap certificates were studied in detail w.e.f. 1st July to 30th September, 2019. Patients were then categorized according to their age, sex, causes and degree of visual handicap and also whether they were issued a permanent or temporary certificate.
Results: The total number of disability certificates issued over a period of three months were 59. Of these 20 patients were issued a temporary certificate and 39 patients were issued a permanent certificate. The mean age of the patients was 42.3.± 10.4 years. Out of these 41 patients were males and 18 patients were females. The major causes of visual disability were pthisisbulbi, optic atrophy and chorioretinal disorders.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis and timely management of common causes of visual disability in our set up could decrease the need for visual disability certification.
Keywords: Visual handicap, disability, disability certificate.
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