1. Graph 3. Diagnosis classification (%)
Characteristics of a paediatric UK based low vision population
Nana Theodorou BMedSci(Hons) PhD Tracey Shipman DBO(D) BSc(Hons)
Orthoptic Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
Background
Results cont.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT provides an integrated low vision service for visually impaired patients registered with the Eye Clinic at Royal Hallamshire Hospital. A dedicated database is used to input all patients seen in the Low Vision Clinic.
Genetic
Prenatal
Perinatal
Childhood
Albinism
11%
Marfans 1% RP
Leber's 3%
Retinal dystrophy
13%
Microphthalmos 4%
Nystagmus
51%
Aniridia
ON hypoplasia
Cataract 6%
Coloboma
Cortical 7%
ROP
Optic atrophy
12%
Glaucoma
Keratitis 2%
Retinal detachment
Myopic degeneration
Aims
To evaluate the demographic data for our local paediatric visual impaired population with a view to planning integrated service provision for the future as well as developing therapeutic strategies.
Fig 2. A girl using a dome magnifier.
Conclusions
Graph 3. Diagnosis classification (%) 29 36 23 12 10 20 30 40
Genetic
Prenatal
Perinatal
Childhood
Methodology
The data acquired for the four diagnostic groups compares well to previous published data from developed countries2,3,4,5. A high percentage of children are being issued with telescopic aids. As a result the Low Vision Clinic is in the process of devising a monocular training manual to standardise practice and promote child’s compliance and competency with the aid. Most children are issued with low vision aids for use at home and at school. The constructive use of aids is encouraged and supported by the close liaison with the educational visually impairment team and the Low Vision Clinic. This Low Vision paediatric service aims to provide an integrated and seamless service to children and parents city-wide.
A retrospective study looking at data input for all children attending the Low Vision Clinic aged 16 years or less during 2000 to The data was split into two groups: 1-7 years and 8-16 years. Data was extracted and analysed for:
gender
registration status
diagnosis
types of low vision aids prescribed
The low vision aids issued were grouped into three main categories; telescopic, hand held and stand magnifiers. Most children are usually issued with more than one aid with monoculars being the most common aid issued.
Results
The total number of children seen during the eight year period was 149.
References
1. Bodeau-Livinec F et al Recent trends in visual impairment and blindness in the UK. Arch. Dis. Child. 92;
2. Goggin M Childhood blindness in the Republic of Ireland: a national survey. BJO 75;
3. Rogers M Vision impairment in Liverpool: prevalence and morbidity. Archives of Disease in Childhood 74;
4. Mervis C et al.2002 Prevalence and selected characteristics of childhood vision impairment. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 44;
5. Rudduck G et al Developing an integrated paediatric low vision service. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 24;
Four diagnostic groups were identified as previously described in the literature1: The genetic group, the prenatal group, the perinatal group and the childhood group. Some children had more than one diagnosis. Retinal dystrophy was the most common diagnosis (13%) followed by Albinism (11%). 51% of the children were diagnosed with nystagmus.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank George Scothern from IT services for his help with the data analysis.
Fig 1. A child using binoculars