Abstract:
A population based cross sectional prevalence survey of visual impairment was conducted
in the area of divisional director of health services Rambukkana.1.Clinical component of the
study included the testing of visual acuity, primary and special eye examination.
2.Knowledge of, attitudes shown and practices towards eye care. The data reveals that the
overall prevalence of visual impairment is 10.94 per cent. The prevalence by low vision
amounts to 9.6 and blindness 1.34 per cent respectively. There is no significant difference in
the prevalence of visual impairment between males and females.(Females 6.7 per cent and
male 4.2 per cent) The study has also revealed that the monocular visual impairment
amounts to 5.57 per cent (low vision 4.6 per cent and blindness 0.96 per cent) and the
binocular visual impairment as the 9.4 per cent (low vision 7.1 per cent and blindness 2.3
per cent). Compared with monocular blindness (0.96 per cent). There is a much greater
prevalence of bilateral blindness(2.3 per cent) in the sample. The prevalence is increased
with age, peaking in the older age group. Un operated cataract was responsible for 33.3 per
cent of visual impairment and uncorrected aphakia was seen in 7.8 per cent. Other causes of
visual impairment were, squint(3.8 per cent). Retinopathy (2.6 per cent) Degenerative
changes (2.6 per cent) and Glaucoma (1.2 per cent). The overall knowledge in eye health
seems to be satisfactory. The mean score obtained was 60.3 per cent. The attitude towards
consanguinity and squint are not favorable. Most of the sample population (86.7 per cent)
seek western medical treatment as their first preference. The study has revealed that a
backlog of visually impaired people are trapped in the rural village and it suggests that the
eye care services has to be extended much more in to the rural community
