Overview (Research)

1998-01-01

Pattern of Childhood Blindness in west Bengal

In 1998, a dissertation by Dr. Asim Kumar Sil, conducted under the guidance of the International Council for the Prevention of Blindness (ICPB), examined childhood blindness in West Bengal. This research, part of a broader study on blindness in the state, aimed to understand the causes and patterns of childhood blindness. The study likely focused on community-based surveys and possibly blind school-based studies to assess the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness, according to a related article on the topic.

Elaboration:
Context:
The study was conducted in 1998, and the research was part of a larger effort to understand and address blindness in West Bengal.
Methodology:
The study likely employed community-based surveys and potentially blind school-based studies to gather data on the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness.
Significance:
The research aimed to identify common causes of childhood blindness, such as vitamin A deficiency, measles, congenital cataract, and other factors. This information would be crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10934463/

2001-01-01

Evaluation of outcome of Cataract Surgery and other causes of Blindness

Evaluation of outcome of Cataract Surgery and other causes of Blindness (National Survey on Blindness) under NPCB in 2001 in Dhenkanal, Orissa and 2005 in Malda ,WB.

In Dhenkanal, Orissa, a 2001 National Survey on Blindness, conducted under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), found cataract to be the leading cause of blindness, responsible for 63.7% of cases. Uncorrected refractive errors were the second most common cause. The survey also evaluated the outcomes of cataract surgery, with 58% of individuals being blind before surgery, and only 6.3% remaining blind post-op.
Detailed findings:
Cataract as the leading cause:
Cataract was identified as the most prevalent cause of economic blindness, followed by uncorrected refractive errors.
Visual outcomes after surgery:
The study showed that a significant portion of individuals with cataract improved their vision after surgery, with 47.5% achieving good visual outcomes, 37.6% moderate outcomes, and 15% poor outcomes.
Co-morbidities and complications:
Glaucoma was a common co-morbidity identified in the survey. Intra-operative complications like vitreous loss and posterior capsular rupture were also observed, and capsular opacity was a common postoperative issue.
Factors influencing poor visual outcome:
Factors contributing to poor visual outcome included uncorrected refractive errors, co-morbidities, and surgery-related complications.
Overall success rate:
The overall success rate of cataract surgery was reported as +98%, with more than 90% of operated eyes achieving a visual acuity of 6/18 or better.
Causes of low vision:
Uncorrected refractive errors were the most common cause of low vision.

2025-04-07

Mission For Vision

Mission For Vision

VMA NNN

2003-01-01

Rapid assessment of blindness

Rapid assessment of blindness under NPCB in North Tripura in 2003
In 2003, a Rapid Assessment of Blindness was conducted in North Tripura under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB). This assessment aimed to quickly evaluate the prevalence and causes of blindness, focusing on avoidable blindness and visual impairment in the population, particularly those aged 50 and above. The NPCB is a national program focused on reducing avoidable blindness.
Key aspects of the assessment:
Focus:
Rapid assessment of blindness and visual impairment, particularly in older adults.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence and causes of avoidable blindness and severe visual impairment.
Methods:
The assessment likely utilized a standard rapid assessment tool, such as the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB). This tool involves conducting surveys and eye examinations in selected clusters or areas within a population.
Data Collection:
Information on vision, potential causes of vision loss, and demographic factors of individuals were likely collected.
Potential Findings:
The assessment likely identified the prevalence of cataract, uncorrected refractive errors, and other causes of avoidable blindness. Cataract is a leading cause of blindness worldwide and is often preventable through surgery.

2005-01-01

Assessment of childhood Blindness in 2005

Assessment of childhood Blindness in 2005 under WHO NPCB in Paschim Medinipur, WB
In 2005, an assessment of childhood blindness was conducted in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), using guidelines and definitions established by the World Health Organization (WHO). This assessment aimed to evaluate the prevalence and causes of blindness in children, as well as identify potential interventions to address the issue.
Key Aspects of the Assessment:
Definition of Blindness:
The assessment likely used the WHO definition of blindness, which is typically defined as visual acuity of 3/60 or less in the better eye, even after correction.
Case Finding:
The assessment likely involved active case finding, where individuals were identified and screened for visual impairment and blindness. This could involve community-based surveys, using key informants to identify children with potential blindness, and conducting examinations by trained personnel.
Causes of Blindness:
The assessment likely sought to determine the causes of childhood blindness, which may include congenital conditions, infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental factors.
Intervention Strategies:
The assessment likely aimed to identify strategies for preventing and treating childhood blindness, including early detection and treatment of preventable conditions, as well as providing support and rehabilitation services.
By conducting assessments like the one in 2005, the NPCB could better understand the burden of childhood blindness, identify vulnerable populations, and implement targeted interventions to improve the vision and quality of life for children with visual impairment.

ORBIS

2006-01-01

Rapid assessment of Avoidable Blindness in Malda (2006) under NPCB

Rapid assessment of Avoidable Blindness in Malda (2006) under NPCB
The 2006 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey in Malda, conducted under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), aimed to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness in the region. The survey utilized a compact segment sampling method, examining 100 individuals aged 50 and over in each selected cluster.
Key Aspects of the RAAB Survey in Malda:
Methodology:
The survey used a compact segment sampling method, where a cluster was defined as a segment of the population, and a random starting point was chosen within each cluster.
Sampling:
The survey focused on individuals aged 50 and over, as this age group is at higher risk of blindness.
Examination:
All individuals in the sample underwent a standardized ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity measurement and a dilated eye examination for those with presenting vision below a certain threshold.
Data Analysis:
Data was collected and analyzed to determine the prevalence of blindness, the causes of vision loss, and the effectiveness of eye care services in the region.

2010-01-01

Low Vision Project under Paschim Banga Sarva Shiksha Mission

Integrated Education for the Disabled (IED) is one of the major & important interventions of Sarva Shiksha Mission. Different measures are taken under this intervention to bring the disabled children under formal education. Conducting screening & identification camps at different areas is one of the activities taken for assessing the disability of different children so that appropriate measures can be taken for individual.
But during implementation of IED activities at field level, it was found that there are lots of Low vision Children at different schools and due to lack of special care those children had to discontinue their studies. So it was strongly felt that some special care should be taken for those children who are suffering from various visual problems.

In 2008 Howrah District Sarva Siksha Mission planned to supply Large Print Books to Low Vision children. One special educator, himself a low vision person, suggested and demonstrated that Low Vision Devices can help the children to access wider range of books. It was a successful advocacy and the district authority decided to go for Low Vision Assessment.
On this background Vivekananda Mission Asram Netra Niramay Niketan had conducted a small scale pilot project on Low Vision Students at Howrah district in April, 2008 being requested by Sarva Shiksha Mission, Howrah.

4 Eye screening camps were conducted exclusively for the Low Vision Children under Sarva Shiksha Mission Howrah and 120 children were examined. This type of camps had not been conducted earlier.

After completion of the camp Sarva Shiksa Mission, Howrah distributed different Low Vision Devices to 56 Low vision children as per screening report by us.42 children were referred to our base hospital for surgery and specialized investigations for betterment of their residual sight and improvement in studies. Results were encouraging. Vision improved after surgery in all the students.
From experience of this study we submitted a proposal to the Paschim Banga Sarva Shiksha Mission to scale it up and develop a project for Low Vision Children for the whole state of West Bengal and it was accepted.

For the first time in India a Project on Low Vision Children under Sarva shiksha Mission was taken up.
Paschim Banga Sarva Shiksha Mission has approved this project for 10 out of 20 districts in West Bengal in favour of Vivekaknanda Mission Asram Netra Niramay Niketan, Chaityapur (Haldia), Purba Medinipur,West Bengal.

Aims of this Project is improving the quality of life of visually challenged children.

Visual impairment should be detected and treated very early in life to develop individual education plan and rehabilitation for the children. The concepts of Low Vision & Low Vision devices are comparatively new. Early introduction of Low vision Devices will lead to good acceptance of devices by children and also enable them to read normal print.

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