Study of the Causes of Blindness amongst the Patients in Manipur State: A Retrospective Analytical Study.

Background: Understanding the major causes of blindness is of utmost importance for planning effective strategies against it. The current study was taken up to find out the various causes of permanent visual handicap in the state of Manipur so as to enable to identify the possible preventive measures. Methods: Patients coming for obtaining visual handicap certificate to the Field-based Disability Assessment Camps during the period March 2009 - April 2013 and Eye OPD of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal during the period August 2014 - July 2016 were examined. The degree of disability was estimated based on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India guidelines. Data for 340 cases were collected and analyzed. Results: Of the total 340 cases, 223 (65.58%) were males giving a M:F ratio of 1.9:1. Mean age (SD) was 26.87 (±19.38) years. Maximum number of cases was in the age group 15-40 yrs. (159, 46.76%). Of the total, 186 (54.70%) patients had 100% blindness followed by 95 (27.95%) cases with 40% disability and 59 (17.35%) cases with 75% disability. Congenital ocular malformation was the commonest with (96, 28.23%) cases followed by corneal diseases with (49, 14.41%) cases.Conclusion: The current study showed a higher prevalence of visual disability in males in the age group of 15-40 yrs. Avoidable blindness comprised nearly one half of the total cases. Early diagnosis and management was the urgent need to prevent blindness due to glaucoma, corneal diseases and some of posterior segment diseases. Congenital ocular malformations and Retinitis pigmentosa could be reduced by genetic counseling and creating awareness.