AIM OF THE STUDY:
Visual disability may be due to many possible causes, but it is catastrophe beyond compare. It adversely affects the quality of life and emotional well being of the individual and their families. This impairs the productivity of the country.
The aim of this study is to assess the magnitude, causes, percentage/categories of visual disability and their rehabilitative measures available.
MATERIALS & METHODS:
Individuals who came to Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur for visual disability certificate from June 2013 to September 2014 were chosen as subjects in this study.
This is a retrospective study done in 156 patients who satisfy the inclusion criteria.
All patients were subjected to complete ocular examination including visual acuity, torch light examination, slit lamp examination, ophthalmoscopic examination, IOP measurement, gonioscopy, pachymetry and b-scan.
RESULTS:
In this study of 156 patients, 31.41% were in the age group of 31- 40 years, 63.46% were found to be males and 42.94% were having 100% visual disability. Retinitis pigmentosa found to be major cause of visual disability in this study group.
CONCLUSION:
Visual disability may be of varying degree and with the higher prevalence among men in the age group 31 – 40 years due to retinitis pigmentosa. Therefore, early intervention is imperative for rapid acceptance, better compliance with rehabilitation programmes and higher standard of living
