Magnitude of Visual Impairment, Severe Visual Impairment and Blindness caused by Refractive Errors.

Abstract

Purpose: Purpose of this study was to find out the proportion of refractive errors and other causes of low vision among the patients reporting at low vision clinic Mayo Hospital Lahore and to find out the magnitude of visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness due to these errors. Introduction: If refractive errors are left uncorrected, can cause visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness. Refractive error cannot be prevented, but visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness from uncorrected refractive errors can be prevented. Patients of low vision (visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness) associated with corrected or uncorrected refractive errors reported at low vision clinic Mayo Hospital Lahore were included in this study and those patients were excluded who have vision better than 6/18 in any of the eye. Materials and methods: 300 patients were selected from low vision clinic of Mayo Hospital Lahore. A Proforma was used for data collection which included patient profile, history and clinical examination (visual acuity, refraction and ophthalmoscopy). Results: Patients reported with refractive errors were 12%. Those reported with other causes of low vision were 88%. It is estimated that refractive error is the third major cause of low vision in this study after AMD and RP. Conclusion: The purpose of this study is to convey a message to authorities and low vision policy makers that existing knowledge and technology can be systematically applied with conscious and constant effort from the individuals and the society which would definitely help to able the visually disables. Key words: Visual impairment, severe visual impairment, blindness, low vision, refractive errors.