Burden of visual disability in the pediatric age group reporting for disability certificate in a tertiary care center of Northern Maharashtra

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to determine the causes of visual impairment and blindness in children in Northern Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: Children aged under 18 years in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra state, India, were examined between January 2022 and December 2024. Causes of blindness were analyzed according to age groups and disease categories. Results: A total of 281 children were examined, including 178 boys and 103 girls. Congenital anomalies were the most common cause of vision loss, accounting for 48.75% (137 cases), followed by refractive errors at 20.99% (59 cases). Squint was present in 12.81% (36 children), corneal pathologies in 5.33% (15 cases), retinal diseases in 2.33% (7 cases), and trauma in 2.49% (7 cases). Approximately 10.67% (30 children) were blind due to potentially avoidable causes. Mild visual impairment was noted in 10.67% of patients, moderate impairment in 33.8%, severe impairment in 7.66%, and blindness in 51.24%. Conclusion: Congenital anomalies remain the primary cause of childhood blindness in Northern Maharashtra, with the growing proportions of refractive errors and squint underscoring the need for increased screening coverage. Health education, early detection of treatable causes, provision of low vision aids, and integration of pediatric eye care into child health programs are essential measures to reduce the burden.