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Abstract：
Objective In this study, we aimed to examine the demographic characteristics, causes, and severity of visual disability and the reasons for seeking disability certificates among Unique Disability Identification Card (UDID)-certified visually disabled patients at a tertiary eye care center in central India. Materials and methods A retrospective observational analysis of medical records and data from the UDID portal involving 600 visually disabled individuals who were certified between February 2019 to March 2022 was performed. Demographic characteristics, diagnosis of the ocular disease, primary etiology, and percentage and grade of visual disability, as well as the main reasons for seeking a visual disability certificate, were analyzed statistically. Best-corrected visual acuity of less than 6/24 to 3/60 or a visual field less than 40 degrees to 10 degrees around the center of fixation or hemianopia involving the macula in the better eye were included in the low-vision category. Best corrected visual acuity of less than 3/60 to \"no light perception\" or visual field less than 10 degrees around the center of fixation in the better eye were included in the blindness category. Results Out of the total 600 patients, 214 (35.67%) were in the age group of 11-30 years. There were more males (63.67%) than females (36.33%) in the study. Four hundred patients (66.67%) had 100% disability. Retinal diseases (n=229, 48.50%) including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (n=130, 21.67%) were the most common cause of visual disability. Travel concessions and Government allowances were the most common reasons for seeking a disability certificate. Conclusion The study highlights the leading causes of visual disability, and RP was found to be the most common one. Avoidance of consanguineous marriages and genetic counseling should be made mandatory to prevent blindness due to RP. We recommend the widespread institution of eye care facilities, increasing the availability of healthcare facilities to all, and community education to eliminate avoidable blindness. This study provides key data to the Government to implement new policies or change the existing ones, plan for future strategies, and prioritize the rehabilitation of visually disabled individuals. Government programs to increase awareness among unregistered visually disabled patients regarding the benefits and rehabilitative measures like UDID card and low vision aids is the need of the hour.
摘要：
目的在本研究中,我们的目的是研究人口特征，原因,和视力残疾的严重程度以及在印度中部三级眼科护理中心获得独特残疾识别卡（UDID）认证的视力残疾患者中寻求残疾证明的原因。材料和方法对UDID门户的医疗记录和数据进行了回顾性观察分析，其中涉及2019年2月至2022年3月期间获得认证的600名视力障碍者。人口特征，眼部疾病的诊断，主要病因，视力残疾的百分比和等级，以及寻求视觉残疾证明的主要原因，进行统计分析。低视力类别包括小于6/24至3/60的最佳矫正视力，或在较好的眼睛中涉及黄斑的固定中心或偏盲周围小于40度至10度的视野。最佳矫正视力小于3/60至“无光感知”或视野小于10度，在较好的眼睛中的注视中心被包括在失明类别中。结果600例患者中,214人（35.67％）在11-30岁的年龄组中。研究中男性（63.67％）多于女性（36.33％）。400名患者（66.67％）有100％的残疾。视网膜疾病（n=229，48.50％），包括视网膜色素变性（RP）（n=130，21.67％）是视力障碍的最常见原因。旅行优惠和政府津贴是寻求残疾证明的最常见原因。结论本研究突出了视力残疾的主要原因,发现RP是最常见的。应强制避免近亲结婚和遗传咨询，以防止因RP而失明。我们建议建立广泛的眼部护理机构，增加所有人的医疗保健设施的可用性，和社区教育，以消除可避免的失明。这项研究为政府实施新政策或改变现有政策提供关键数据,未来战略的计划，并优先考虑视力障碍者的康复。政府计划提高未登记的视力残疾患者对UDID卡和低视力辅助等福利和康复措施的认识是必要的。
