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TL;DR
Seventeen studies involving 16,924 children from 13 states across five geo-political zones were included after quality appraisal using the AXIS tool.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) · 6 authors, 11 centres
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Seventeen studies involving 16,924 children from 13 states across five geo-political zones were included after quality appraisal using the AXIS tool.
Seventeen studies involving 16,924 children from 13 states across five geo-political zones were included after quality appraisal using the AXIS tool. Using WHO classification of presenting visual acuity, prevalence of visual impairment was 3.9%, 2.7%, and 0.3% for mild, moderate, and severe categories respectively, while blindness prevalence was 0.2%. The authors note methodological heterogeneity across included studies prevented meta-analysis and may introduce bias. No data were available from the Northeastern geo-political zone. Despite low prevalence rates, the cumulative burden of blind years and disability-adjusted life years remains a significant concern.