Epidemiology and visual outcome of childhood cataract at tertiary eye care centre in west central India

To study epidemiological profile of childhood cataract & visual outcome after cataract surgery in West Central India. Retrospective analysis of records was done for patients who were operated for childhood cataract from June 2018 to April 2020. Total 244 eyes of 178 patients’ included.100 were male & 78 female, mean ages at the time of surgery was 8.64 years (SD2.63 years). Of these 178 patients 102 (57.30%) had unilateral and 76 (42.69%) had bilateral cataract. Most of congenital and traumatic cataract belonged to 7 years to 12 years age group & developmental, complicated & others in age group of 13 years to 18 years. Visual axis opacification were noted in 14 patients due to posterior capsular opacification, corneal opacity and pigment deposition over IOL.Treatment of childhood cataract has evolved but delivering the facilities to patients has been a biggest challenge to health care providers. This can be improved by delivering accurate & frequent counseling to society including prevention, identification, intervention and rehabilitation and collaborating with government programs like RBSK and AYUSHMAN Bharat.