We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
A survey of visual impairment and blindness in children attending eight schools for the blind in Myanmar: An update.
- Authors
Huang, Sonia; Sun, Michelle; Mallipatna, Ashwin; Carrillo, Cesar; Tang, Yi; Nweni, Khine; Win, Tin; Aung, Than; Lin, Naing; Win, Ye; Griffiths, Andy; Holmes, Martin; Thapaw, Naw; Hlaing, Soe; Casson, Robert; Muecke, James; Sun, Michelle T; Tang, Yi Fan; Aung, Than Htun; Thapaw, Naw Marina
- Abstract
<bold>Purpose: </bold>To determine the causes of visual impairment (VI) and blindness among children in schools for the blind in Myanmar; to identify the avoidable causes of VI and blindness; to provide spectacles, low-vision aids, and ophthalmic treatment where indicated; to provide an update of the 2007 survey performed and identify any major epidemiological changes.<bold>Methods: </bold>Two hundred and ninety children under 16 years of age from all eight schools for the blind in Myanmar were examined and the data entered into the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Examination Record for Childhood Blindness.<bold>Results: </bold>In total, 271 children (93.4%) were blind (visual acuity [VA] <3/60 in the better eye) and 15 (5.17%) had severe visual impairment (SVI = VA <6/60 to 3/60 in the better eye). Most children had whole globe as the major anatomical site of SVI or blindness (105, 36.6%). The cause was unknown in the majority of these (155, 54.0%). One hundred and twelve children had avoidable causes of blindness and SVI (39.0%). Forty children (13.9%) required an optical device and 10.1% required surgical or medical attention, with a potential for visual improvement through intervention in 3.48%.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>In all, 39.0% of children had potentially avoidable causes of SVI and blindness with cataracts and measles being the commonest causes. This follow-up survey performed after the first one completed in Myanmar in 2007 demonstrates a change in the major site of abnormality from the cornea to whole globe and a reduction in avoidable blindness but highlights the ongoing burden of measles.
- Subjects
MYANMAR; BLINDNESS in children; BLIND people; VISION disorders; VISUAL acuity; OPTICAL devices; BLINDNESS
- Publication
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2021, Vol 69, Issue 8, p2034
- ISSN
0301-4738
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.4103/ijo.IJO_3534_20