Epidemiology of childhood blindness: A community-based study in Bangladesh.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness in a rural area of Bangladesh. We adopted a cross-sectional quantitative study design for this study, which was performed in three unions (sub-districts) located in Raiganj Upazila of the Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. Using a validated tool, a screening program was conducted at the household level. After initial screening, a team of ophthalmologists confirmed the diagnoses by clinical examinations. The prevalence of childhood blindness was observed to be 6.3 per 10,000 children, whereas the rate of uniocular blindness was 4.8 per 10,000 children. Congenital problems were the major causes of both uniocular and binocular blindness (uniocular blindness: 84% and binocular blindness: 92%). The whole globe was the site responsible for binocular blindness (28.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.1, 47.7), whereas the cornea was responsible for uniocular blindness (57.8%, 95% CI: 35.3, 78.1). Childhood blindness is a public health problem in Bangladesh and is highly prevalent, regardless of sex. The major causes of childhood blindness are congenital.

Visual Outcomes of Congenital Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Public Hospital in Bangladesh.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to look at the visual outcomes of bilateral congenital cataract surgery. DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted. METHODS: A total of 102 eyes of 51 children aged between 2 and 12 months undergoing bilateral congenital cataract surgery from January 2008 to December 2008 with a 3-year follow-up were included in this study. The study was performed at a tertiary public hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Chi-square (χ²) tests were performed to identify the association between visual outcome and age at surgery. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 102 eyes, 32 (31.4%) eyes were operated on when the subjects were aged between 2 and 3 months, and 70 (68.6%) eyes were operated on at the age of 3 to 12 months. The subjects were followed up for 3 years after surgery. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was measured. Visual outcomes were significantly poor in children aged 3 months or older (P < 0.001) as compared with children aged between 2 and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and treatment with long-term postoperative rehabilitation is vital to improve visual outcomes of children with congenital cataract.

Prognostic Value of Ocular Trauma Score in Evaluating Visual Outcome of Pediatric (4-16 Years) Open Globe Injuries.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of ocular trauma score (OTS) in pediatric open globe injury. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was conducted. METHODS: A total of 210 patients aged 4 to 16 years (mean ± SD age, 9.30 ± 3.29 years) with open globe injury were recruited by nonrandomized purposive sampling based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ocular trauma score variables, including visual acuity (VA), rupture, endophthalmitis, perforating injury, retinal detachment, and afferent pupillary defect, were determined and converted into OTS categories. The final VA in each category was compared with the prognostic outcome. RESULTS: Patients were categorized into 5 groups according to the OTS model, with 30 (14.28%) patients in category 1, 52 (24.77%) patients in category 2, 40 (19.05%) patients in category 3, 40 (19.05%) patients in category 4, and 48 (22.86%) patients in category 5.Forty-three (20.48%) patients had a final VA of 20/40 or greater, all of whom were in category 5. No patients in category 1 could achieve a VA of 20/40 or greater. Of the 35 (16.67%) patients who had no perception of light in follow-up visits, 28 were from category 1 and 7 were from category 2. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular trauma score has good prognostic significance if other interventions such as proper evaluation, early surgery, and proper follow-up can be ensured.