Résumé
Purpose: The study intends to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of pediatric patients (0–18 years) attending six vision centers (VCs) of a tertiary eye care facility in south India. Methods: This is a cross?sectional observation study conducted at six major peripheral VCs of a tertiary eye care facility in South India from June 20 to Dec 20. All children presenting at the VCs under a base hospital (BH) in Pondicherry, whose parents gave consent were included. Data were entered by the ophthalmic assistants in the VC and cross checked by the principal investigator at the BH. Results: A total of 250 pediatric patients were brought to the VCs during the study period, predominantly males (60.8%), with a mean age of 8.2 ± 4.5 years (0– 18 years). Half of them were staying within 5 km from the VCs. Most children were escorted by their parents (88%), and the expenditure of travel to the VC was affordable for most of the parents (75%). Also, 53.6% of patients were in their primary school, while schooling had not started for 28% of children. Visual acuity (VA) could be assessed only for school?going children and older children due to lack of age?matched VA assessment tools. Most children (91.3%) had uncorrected VA better than or equal to 6/18 in the better eye, and approximately 3% had VA worse than 6/60. All patients had best corrected VA of 6/6–6/18 after cycloplegic refraction. Most children reported to the VC for allergic conjunctivitis (25%), followed by refractive error (13%) and squint (10.4%). Urgent referral to the BH was made for 47 children. Conclusion: Primary eye care in pediatric population?I (PREPP?I) showed that most children can be treated at the VCs and only one?fifth of the children require active intervention at higher referral centers. Further study on satisfaction of services provided for pediatric patients in these VCs and barriers of not reporting to the BH when referred are considered for the PREPP?II study
Résumé
OBJECT: It is to evaluate the priority area for effective eye care service to the aged population of rural comniunity at present and in future. METHOD: Number of aged group surveyed on 60 and over 60 years age that, counted 531 among the total 580 patients. Visual acuity was tested and refractive error was measured by Retinornax (Nikon, Japan) . Ocular examination was performed to determine the causes of visual impairment. This survey was conducted under the auspices of the Korean Foundation for Prevention of Blindness with assistance of the Seoul National University Postgraduate School of Public Health from 1994 to 1996 at the Public Health Center of Chun-Cheon, Kang-Won Do(Province). RESULTS: Age distribution showed the sixties (60-69) 49,3%, the seventies (70-79) 33.9%, and the eighties (80) 16.8%. Proportion of visual acuity of 0.7 or upper in the better eyes constituted 32.2% and of 0.2 or worse 19.4%. Causes of visual impairnnente consisted of refractive errors 35. 9%, cataract 35. 9%, macular degeneration 7, 4%, and corneal opacity 3.9% in order. Contributed modes of care were spectacles 27.9%, surgeries 23.9% (cataract, operation, pterygium removal etc.), and medical treatment 23.9%. DISCUSSION: Surgery of the aged population in rural comrnunity of Chun-Cheon revealed the most. prevalent. causes of visual impairment as the refractive errors and cataract. It is suggested that. the most effective eye care would be provided systemically based 0 the result of the epidemiological study on the various ocular disorders.