To Determine the Frequency of Risk Factors of Blindness in Blind People Living in Muhammad Bin Qasim Blind Welfare Organization, Multan

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of risk factors of blindness in patients and To provide them awareness about prevention of risk factor.

Study Design: Observational / Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Community Medicine, NMC, Multan from October 2016 to December 2016.

Materials and Methods: A total of 46 blind persons were included in the study with their informed consent. A questionnaire was designed and data was collected and analyzed using SPSS.

Results: A total of 46 subjects were included in the study. Most of them, 24 (52.17%) were blind at birth. Of the remaining 22 (47.82%), 5 (10.8%) were victims of trauma and rest 17 (36.95%) had history of curable or preventable diseases as cataract (4.3%), glaucoma (6.5%) etc.

Conclusion: This study estimates the risk factors for blindness in the setting of the selected blind centre. A significant majority of subjects were blind at birth and were with poor socio-economic background. Awareness on blindness need to be further expanded to uneducated people, particularly to those from rural areas.