Demographic Characteristics and Causes of Low Vision in Children: A Hospital–Based Study from Khartoum, Sudan

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v37i4.1274

Authors

  • Saif Hassan Alrasheed College of Applied Medical Science, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
  • Eslah Saeed Awad Faculty of Optometry and Visual Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum
  • Zoelfigar Dafalla Mohamed University of Buraimi, Oman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36351/pjo.v37i4.1274

Keywords:

Retinitis Pigmentosa, Congenital glaucoma, Albinism, Myopia, Cataract.

Abstract

Purpose:  To determine the demographic characteristics and causes of low vision in children who attended Alfaisal eye center, Khartoum Sudan.

Place and Duration of Study:  Alfaisal eye Center, Khartoum, Sudan, from February 2018 to October 2020.

Study Design:  Cross sectional observational study.

Methods:  Clinical record of 105 patients who visited the low vision clinic were retrieved. Demographic features, history, ocular examination, cause of low vision, refractive state of the eye (by self-luminance streak retinoscope, and auto refractometer), and type of low vision devices used by the patients were noted. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 20.

Results:  Mean age was 11.70 ± 2.19. Seventy three percent patients had Visual Acuity(VA) less than 6/60. Majority (59%) were male patients. Commonest refractive error associated with low vision was myopia (65.71%). Retinitis Pigmentosa, congenital glaucoma, and albinism were other major causes of pediatric low vision (19.5%). Progressive Myopia was seen in 15%. About 9.5% of children presented with cataracts, nystagmus in 9.5%, and congenital refractive error in 9.5%.The cause of low vision among children was not statistically different between males and females P=0.890. More than half of the children 78.1% used glasses and about 21.9% were corrected by telescope.

Conclusion:  Retinitis pigmentosa, albinism, and congenital glaucoma were the most common causes of pediatric low vision. Common low vision devices prescribed to these children were glasses and telescopes.

Key Words:  Retinitis Pigmentosa, Congenital glaucoma, Albinism, Myopia, Cataract.

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Published

03-09-2021

How to Cite

1.
Alrasheed SH, Awad ES, Mohamed ZD. Demographic Characteristics and Causes of Low Vision in Children: A Hospital–Based Study from Khartoum, Sudan: Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v37i4.1274. pak J Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2021 Sep. 3 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];37(4). Available from: https://pjo.org.pk/index.php/pjo/article/view/1274

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Original Articles