By ULY CLINIC

 

Major blinding diseases

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Cataract

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Introduction

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Blindness according to WHO is defined as a visual acuity of less than 3/60 with the best correction available or central visual field of less than 10º in the better eye. In a simpler way, it is when someone fails to count fingers at a distance of 3 meters in the eye that is considered good with the best available corrective/distance spectacles. The definition is the same to children and infants though there are different methods for testing vision in young children until when they are at preschool age when normal visual acuity chart can be used. The common causes of blindness are Cataract, Glaucoma, Trachoma, Vitamin A deficiency (discussed under nutrition chapter), and Diseases of the Retina, uncorrected Refractive Errors and Low Vision.

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Diagnostic Criteria

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• Cloudiness in the lens seen as a white mark behind the pupil and iris

• Conjunctiva and cornea are clear and the whole iris can be seen clearly  

 

NOTE: 

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• Cataract may present in all age groups,blindness due to cataract is reversible 

• Treatment is only by surgery 

• Early treatment in children is mandatory  

 

Referral

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• Refer all cases to eye surgeon for cataract surgery.

• Children should be referred immediately to a Paediatric Eye Tertiary Centre

• White pupil in children may be a tumor in the eye and late referral may lead to permanent loss of vision, squint, loss of eye or loss of life.

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Updated on, 2.11.2020

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References

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1. STG