Childhood blindness and visual impairment in the Narayani Zone of Nepal: a population-based survey

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness (BL), severe visual impairment (SVI), moderate visual impairment (ModVI) and mild visual impairment (MildVI) in children in Narayani Zone, Nepal.

Methods: In 2017, 100 population clusters within the Narayani Zone of Nepal were selected using RAAB software. Children (aged 0–15 years) suspected of having visual problems were identified using Key Informants (KIs) and school teachers and were referred for ophthalmologic examination. Eye care staff actively sought children who failed to present for examination. Causes of BL/SVI/ModVI/MildVI were categorized using standard World Health Organization definitions.

Results: Of 76,588 children selected, 72,900 (95%) were screened. Of 2,158 children referred for examination, 1,322 were referred by teachers and 836 by KIs. A total of 1,617 (75%) children received a detailed examination, of whom 128 children [65 girls (51%)] mean age of 9.4 (± 4.1 years) were confirmed to have BL 7 (5.5%), SVI 16 (12.5%), ModVI 19 (15%) or MildVI 86 (67%). The combined prevalence of BL/SVI/ModVI/MildVI was 175/100,000 (95% CI 172–178/100,000); BL/SVI/ModVI was 55/100,000 (95% CI 53–57/100,000) and the combined BL/SVI estimate was 30/100,000 (95% CI 29–31/100,000). The leading causes of BL/SVI/MVI were refractive error 23 (55%) and whole globe disorders 5 (12%). Total avoidable causes were 31 (74%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of BL/SVI/ModVI among children in Narayani Zone was moderate and included a high proportion of avoidable and treatable cases. Pediatric ophthalmic services need improvement, mainly refractive error correction in rural areas of Nepal.

KEYWORDS:

• Blindness survey
• population based
• childhood
• Narayani Zone
• Nepal

Acknowledgments

We thank Seva Canada for funding this research, Lumbini Eye Institute and Bharatpur Eye Hospital for providing logistical and personnel support and David de Wit who helped us in language editing services.

Conflict of interest

None

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funder by Seva Canada.