Causes of blindness in children attending blind school in north Karnataka part of India

Aims: To find the causes of blindness in children of blind schools in North Karnataka part of India. Settings and Design: Observational study. Methods and Material: Total of 92 children of less than 16 years of age were examined. This study was conducted in 2 blind schools in 2 districts of north Karnataka. The causes were divided in accordance with the world health organization (WHO) programme for prevention of blindness proforma. Results: Congenital eye lesions affecting the globe were seen in 33.7%, Retinal and corneal cause’s 20.65% each and lenticular causes around 8.7%. Nearly 23% causes for blindness were preventable or treatable. Conclusions: Congenital ocular anomalies were the leading cause for blindness; Preventable and treatable cause were also significant in number. Improvement in research to find congenital anomalies, improvement in nutrition, vaccination and early diagnosis and management of treatable diseases are required to decrease childhood blindness.