Severe visual impairment/blindness 1
This surveillance study ran from September 1999 to December 2000. At the time of this surveillance study, there was no reliable routine source of national information about severely visually impaired or blind children, and there had been no recent national study of affected children. This national study would provide information (not previously available) on the burden and impact of severe visual impairment and blindness in childhood.
Lead investigator
Dr J Rahi
About the study
Knowledge of the incidence, mode of detection and causes of severe visual impairment and blindness was essential for various reasons. It was essential for the development and evaluation of preventive strategies, for monitoring secular trends and for aetiological research. It was also important for the provision and evaluation of health, educational and social services for children with isolated visual loss and those with other impairments. However, at the time of this surveillance study, there was no reliable routine source of national information about severely visually impaired or blind children, and there had been no recent national study of affected children.
Thus, available information about severe visual loss in childhood was limited in scope, completeness and generalisability. This national study would provide information (not previously available) on the burden and impact of severe visual impairment and blindness in childhood.
Objectives:
- To determine the incidence of severe visual impairment and blindness in childhood in the UK and Ireland, for children with isolated visual loss and those with other impairments.
- To describe the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children, using a standardised classification based on anatomical site(s) affected and underlying or associated cause(s).
- To determine the mode of detection and timing of ophthalmic assessment of affected children, including the proportion detected through routine screening or surveillance examinations.
- To ascertain current national practice regarding partial sight or blind certification of eligible children.
Duration
September 1999 – December 2000
Published papers
Rahi JS, Cable N; British Childhood Visual Impairment Study Group. Severe visual impairment and blindness in children in the UK. Lancet. 2003 Oct 25;362(9393):1359-65. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14631-4. PMID: 14585637.
BPSU 15th Annual report 2000-2001
Support Group
Fight for Sight
Web: www.fightforsight.org.uk Email: info@fightforsight.org.uk