Community Ophthalmology

The SAFE strategy is recommended for the control of trachoma. Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eye that is caused by poor hygiene and is commonly found in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation. The SAFE strategy stands for Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement. This approach involves providing surgical treatment for advanced cases, administering antibiotics to treat active infection, promoting facial cleanliness to reduce transmission, and improving environmental conditions to prevent reinfection. By implementing the SAFE strategy, the transmission and prevalence of trachoma can be reduced, leading to improved eye health in affected communities.

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness in India. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye, which leads to a decrease in vision. It is usually caused by aging, but can also be caused by injury, certain medications, or medical conditions such as diabetes. Cataracts can be treated with surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one.

The correct answer is 3/60. According to the WHO criteria for blindness, a person is considered blind if their visual acuity is less than 3/60. Visual acuity refers to the clarity or sharpness of vision, and a visual acuity of 3/60 means that a person can only see at 3 meters what a person with normal vision can see at 60 meters. Therefore, if someone has a visual acuity of less than 3/60, they are considered to have severe vision impairment or blindness.

Uncorrected refractive errors are the most common cause of low vision in India. Refractive errors occur when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing directly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. This can include conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. In India, many people do not have access to proper eye care or corrective lenses, leading to a high prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors. This highlights the importance of regular eye examinations and access to affordable eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve vision and prevent further deterioration.

Congenital dacryocystitis is not a common cause of childhood blindness. It refers to an infection or inflammation of the tear ducts in infants, which can cause tearing, discharge, and swelling around the eyes. While it can lead to eye problems if left untreated, it is not typically associated with severe visual impairment or blindness. On the other hand, malnutrition, glaucoma, and ophthalmia neonatorum are known to be common causes of childhood blindness.

In the National programme for control of Blindness in India, medical colleges are classified as eye care centers at the tertiary level. This means that medical colleges play a crucial role in providing advanced and specialized eye care services. They are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, resources, and expertise to handle complex eye conditions and perform advanced surgical procedures. Medical colleges at the tertiary level also contribute to training and research in the field of ophthalmology, further enhancing the quality of eye care in the country.

In the school eye screening programme in India, the initial vision screening of school children is done by school teachers. This is because school teachers are often the first point of contact for students and are in a position to observe any visual problems or difficulties that the students may be experiencing. They can then refer the students to eye specialists or medical officers for further evaluation and treatment if necessary. Primary level health workers may also play a role in assisting with the screening process, but the primary responsibility lies with school teachers.

The correct answer is Glaucoma. In the vision 2020 goals, refractive errors, cataract, and trachoma are given global prominence. However, glaucoma is not specifically mentioned as a priority in the vision 2020 goals. Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss if left untreated. While it is an important eye disease, it may not have been prioritized in the vision 2020 goals.

The WHO recommends that follicular and intense trachoma inflammation should be assessed in children aged 0-10 years. This age group is particularly vulnerable to trachoma infection and is more likely to develop severe complications if left untreated. By focusing on this age group, healthcare providers can identify and treat trachoma cases early, preventing further spread of the disease and reducing the burden of trachoma-related complications in the community. Assessing trachoma in other age groups may still be important, but the WHO specifically highlights the importance of screening children aged 0-10 years.

The eye condition for which the World Bank assistance was provided to the National Programme for control of blindness (1994-2001) is cataract.

According to the given definition of blindness, which states that visual acuity less than 3/60 in the better eye qualifies as blindness, the estimated number of blind persons per 100,000 population in India is 700. This means that out of every 100,000 people in India, approximately 700 individuals have a visual acuity less than 3/60 in their better eye, making them blind according to this definition.

According to the National programme for control of blindness (NPCB) survey (1986-89), the highest prevalence of blindness is in Uttar Pradesh (U.P.).

Refractive error is the most common cause of ocular morbidity in the community. Refractive error refers to the inability of the eye to properly focus light, resulting in blurred vision. This condition includes myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Refractive errors can significantly impact a person's quality of life and can lead to various visual problems if left uncorrected. Cataract, ocular injury, and vitamin-A deficiency are also important causes of ocular morbidity, but refractive error is the most common among them.

The visual acuity used as a cut-off for differentiating normal from abnormal children in the school vision screening program in India is 6/9. This means that a child with a visual acuity of 6/9 can see at 6 meters what a person with normal vision can see at 9 meters. A visual acuity of 6/9 is considered normal, while a visual acuity of 6/12 or worse is considered abnormal.

The correct answer is "Economically blind" because the patient's vision in both eyes is significantly impaired (6/60 in the right eye and 3/60 in the left eye). This classification is based on the National Programme for control of Blindness, which likely has specific criteria for determining different levels of visual impairment. The term "economically blind" suggests that the patient's visual impairment may have a significant impact on their ability to work and earn a living.