Factors affecting childhood blindness and visual impairment in Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The study determined the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness and visual impairment (VI) in the hospital and determined the association between risk factors and dimensions affecting eye care utilization and VI severity.

Methodology: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study which included 318 records of pediatric patients who consulted at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) in 2018.

Results: The prevalences of bilateral childhood blindness and VI were 12/318 (3.8%) and 77/318 (24%),
respectively. Cataract was the top cause for bilateral blindness while refractive error was for VI. More than 75% of the causes of bilateral childhood blindness and VI at BGHMC in 2018 were treatable. Forty-seven (15%) children had unilateral blindness. The top cause of unilateral VI was refractive error while ocular trauma was the top cause of unilateral blindness. Ninety-four percent of the causes of unilateral blindness and VI at the BGHMC in 2018 were preventable or treatable. Age of onset of disease (p<0.001), availability (mild-p<0.03), and affordability (mild-p<0.019, moderate-p<0.004, and blind-p<0.047) of eye care were significantly associated with VI severity.

Discussion: Childhood blindness and VI at BGHMC were high compared to the national adult prevalence and in other Asian and African countries. The top causes of childhood blindness and VI in this study were similar to the top causes reported in national and global studies. Age of onset, availability, and affordability of eye care were associated with the severity of VI.

Conclusion: Childhood blindness and VI were high in patients of the BGHMC in 2018 and were affected by age of onset of the eye disease and availability and affordability of eye care.

Published online: September 21, 2021