Evaluation of Registered Visual Handicap Individuals in a District of Karnataka, India

To identify various ocular disorders leading to permanent visual disability in Bidar district of Karnataka based on visual handicap certification.

Retrospective analysis of patients obtaining visual handicap certificate for complete blindness during 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2011 attending Ophthalmology outpatient department,Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar was done. Information was retrieved and analysed with respect to cause of blindness, age, sex, place and reason for obtaining the certificate.

224 patients were certified as 100% blind who came for visual handicap certification. Age group ranged from 4yrs to 74yrs with 141males (62.9%) and 83 females (37.1%).Out of 448 eyes, corneal opacity (19.19%of eyes) was most common cause for blindness followed by phthisis bulbi(16.96%), congenital ocular anomalies(13.37%), glaucomatous optic atrophy(9.82%),absolute glaucoma (9.37%),retinitis pigmentosa(8.92%).

High number of corneal blindness and phthisis bulbi demands proper eye health education and early appropriate treatment. Increased prevalence of retinitispigmentosa warrants genetic counselling. Screening and regular treatment of glaucoma patients should be of top priority. Male gender bias demands concern.