Childhood blindness.
Eighty five visually handicapped children who attended the eye department were assessed. The children had a mean age of 3.6 years--range 0.3-14.7 years. The aetiological factors for severe visual handicap (visual acuity less than 3/60) were evaluated into prenatal factors; factors operating at birth and the immediate perinatal period; or factors operating in childhood. Genetic counselling and improvements in the management of pre-term infants is recommended in the reduction of childhood blindness. A national computerised childhood blind register should be established.
Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital, Dublin.
M
M
O'Keefe
J P
JP
Burke
R
R
Bowell
B
B
Lanigan
D000293:Adolescent; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy