The Prevalence of Blindness and Low Vision at School for Visually Impaired Students "Veljko Ramadanovic"– Zemun, Beograd, Serbia and MontenegroBip Optika Serbia and Montenegro 2005

Abstract

Purpose: : To provide a visual evaluation and give optical devices and optical aids when required to low vision children. The children attended "Veljko Ramadanovic"–Zemun, Beograd, Serbia and Montenegro, a school providing special education for visual impaired children. The children received little emphasis on the use of low visual aids to manage their handicap better. The prevalence of ocular diagnoses among the blind and low vision students was studied.

Design: : Population of pupils from special school for visual impaired children. The attendants were from 6 to 22 years of age.

Methods: : 166 students at "Vejlko Ramadanovic" were given a visual examination and diagnosed. Of this cohort, 99 (59,6 %) were males and 67 (40,4 %) were females.

Results: : The main cause of low vision was retinopathy of prematurity, 46 eyes of 289. Amblyopia was represented in 33 of 289 eyes, closely followed by nystagmus and microcornea. 20 eyes had optical nerve atrophy, the rest had different pathology relating to low vision or blindness. The prevalence of no light perception (NLP) was 29 %, light perception (LP) was 22 %, blind was 29 %, visually impaired was 14 % and normal sighted was 6%. 17 pupils received spectacles, 27 got magnifiers and 8 were trained in using CCTV. All children receiving optical aids were given user instructions.

Conclusions: : A total number of 166 pupils were examined and diagnosed. 52 different optical devices were distributed. The main cause of low vision was retinopathy of prematurity.

Keywords: low vision • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • visual development: infancy and childhood