ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2020 | Volume
: 34
| Issue : 2 | Page : 111-115 |
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Visual rehabilitation of people with oculocutaneous albinism in a tertiary clinical setting in Pakistan
Mufarriq Shah1, Muhammad T Khan2, Nasir Saeed3
1 Department of Optometry, Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan 3 Department of Optometry, Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex; Department of Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mufarriq Shah Department of Optometry, Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar Pakistan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/1319-4534.305036
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PURPOSE: All people with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) have reduced vision. This study aimed to assess the benefits of low vision aids for people with OCA.
METHODS: Seventy-seven consecutive people with OCA age 4 years and above examined in a low vision clinic were included in the study. Uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (VA), VA with low vision devices, types of low vision aids, and refractive errors data were analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the 77 people with OCA, 57% were in the age group between 4 and 15 years and 43% in the age group of 16 years and above. At the time of presentation, the percentages of visually impaired, severe visually impaired, and blind (using WHO low vision criteria) were 52%, 22%, and 25%. Among them, 39% has near VA of 1 M or better. Difference in the means of the spherical equivalent refractive error in the right eyes and left eyes was -0.494 diopters (-01.686, 0.699; 95% confidence interval). VA improved significantly after adequate refractive correction by more than one log MAR lines in 38.6% (P < 0.01). With low vision devices, in 85.7% (n = 66) participants, VA was enhanced to normal level (6/18 or better) in the better eye while 7.8% still remained in the blind category. Telescopes were prescribed to 61% people for the enhancement of distance VA and hand hold magnifiers were prescribed to 22% people to meet their needs.
CONCLUSION: Low vision aids can be successfully used in visual rehabilitation of people with OCA to meet their needs.
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