CORNEAL BLINDNESS – A CLINICAL STUDY

Nafees Fathima

Abstract


This is a hospital based observational study done over a period of 6 months to evaluate causes of corneal blindness in patients attending the cornea speciality clinic of Government regional eye hospital, Visakhapatnam. Patients with visual acuity less than or equal to counting fingers at 3 meters and better than no perception of light were included. Patients underwent detailed slit lamp biomicroscopic evaluation and  posterior segment examination either with indirect ophthalmoscope or b scan. Corneal staining, culture and sensitivity were performed when needed. Out of 200 cases studied, most common cause of corneal blindness was infective keratitis followed by trauma and chemical injuries. Since most of the patients had curable or preventable cause of corneal blindness, an early approach, thorough evaluation, proper management with timely referral and eye health awareness helps reduce burden of corneal blindness.


Keywords


corneal blindness, infective keratitis, corneal laceration, corneal trauma, eye donation, eye health awareness

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References


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Gupta N, Tandon R, Gupta S, Sreenivas V, Vashist P. Burden of corneal blindness in India. Indian J Ophthalmol 2013;38:198-206


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