The VIIO Child Eye Care Project

Childhood blindness has multiple causes and these causes vary in different age groups. We understand that a single wide-net screening strategy is not suitable for all diseases in differing age groups. We plan to have community health worker, teacher led, technician led and doctor led screening and diagnosis systems, based on specific conditions with full cycle treatment delivery to ensure that no child will go blind. Children with uncorrected vision conditions or eye health problems face many barriers in life academically, socially and athletically. High-quality eye care can break down these barriers and help enable children to reach their highest potential. That's why a comprehensive child eye examination is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the very best opportunity to correct vision problems successfully. Under this effort we have treated children for the following eye problems.

1. Congenital Cataract:A cataract is an opacification of the lens. Congenital cataracts usually are diagnosed at birth. If a cataract goes undetected in an infant, permanent visual loss may ensue. Congenital cataracts may be unilateral or bilateral and can vary widely in size, morphology and degree of opacification from a small white dot on the anterior capsule to total opacification of the lens. A Baby with congenial cataract in one eye + down syndrome (Down syndrome, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome.  It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability, it is a lifelong condition) was treated with surgical intervention of PHACOEMULSIFICATION + IOL IMPLANTATION + PRIMARY POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA.

2. Granulomatous Uveitis:Uveitis is a condition causing inflammation of the middle eye or uvea, granulomatous uveitis is associated with toxoplasmosis and systemic mycotic infections. Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the one-celled protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Although most individuals do not experience any symptoms, the disease can be very serious, and even fatal, in individuals with weakened immune systems).  The child was 1^st treated with steroid medication for management of Granulomatous Uveitis & was surgically managed with intervention of LENSECTOMY (Removal of the lens of the eye) UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA

3. Pigmentary Retinopathy + Micro Cornea + Cataract: A child with systemic illness of gross developmental delays + CHD +  congenital Rubella syndrome (congenital heart disease (CHD), is a problem in the structure of the heart that is present at birth + Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is an illness resulting from rubella virus infection during pregnancy. When rubella infection occurs during early pregnancy, serious consequences—such as miscarriages, stillbirths, and a constellation of severe birth defects in infants can result. A rubella infection can cause multiple birth defects, including congenital heart disease) was diagnosed at our hospital with partially absorbed cataract + micro cornea in both eyes + pigmentary retinopathy (Pigmentary retinopathy is an inherited eye disorder involving degeneration of the retina).  The child was treated both eyes with surgical intervention of CATARACT EXTRACTION + PRIMARY POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY + ANTERIOR VITRECTOMY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA.

4. Zonular Cataract: This type of cataract is bilateral. It can be congenital or it can be acquired during the first years of life due to tetany or rickets. The cataract is always large enough to occlude the pupil.. The child with Intellectual Disability + delayed milestones (Intellectual disability (ID), previously known as mental retardation, is a term that is used when an individual has below-average intelligence or mental ability. Lack of skill necessary for day-to-day living are also commonly associated with this type of disorder. These children often have a hard time communicating their specific wants and needs, and usually struggle with taking care of themselves. ID is not a disease and it is a lifelong condition) was diagnosed with bilateral zonular cataract & was treated with PHACOEMULSIFICATION + IOL IMPLANTATION + PRIMARY POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY UNDER GENERAL ANAESTHESIA.

In accordance to our driving spirit to fulfill the dream of our founder, we are continuously striving to spread awareness and educate regarding childhood vision problems and its side effects in children.  A child needs many abilities to succeed in school. Good vision is a key. 80% of the learning a child does occurs through his or her eyes. Reading, writing, and using computers are among the visual tasks students perform daily. Healthy eyes and vision are a critical part of children development to excel in their curricular activities. To make this effort successful Parents and teachers are educated the need to be alert for symptoms that may indicate a child has a vision problem. Under this effort we have successful treated the below children for the following eye problems.

 1. Paediatric anterior uveitis - Uveitis is a condition causing inflammation of the middle eye or uvea) + Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can be defined as a group of idiopathic arthritides, which occurs before the age of 16 years and persists for at least 6 weeks. It is the most common cause of uveitis in children and also major cause of visual impairment in children).  Bilateral lensectomy was done to treat the child.

 2. Limbal dermoid- They are usually superficial lesions. They appear most frequently at the inferior temporal quadrant of the corneal limbus. Limbal dermoids are benign congenital tumors that contain choristomatous tissue (tissue not found normally at that site). MRI scan of brain and orbit will be done to see the extention and involvement of eye muscles. Limbal dermoid excision with histopathology examination was done to treat the child.

 3. Herpes zoster & keratitis - Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is reactivation of a varicella-zoster virus infection (shingles) involving the eye. Symptoms and signs, which may be intense, include dermatomal forehead rash and painful inflammation of all the tissues of the anterior and, rarely, posterior structures of the eye, Shingles in the eye could lead to vision loss). Penetrating Keratoplasty was the remedial surgical measure taken to restore the vision for the child.

4. Keratoconus - It is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than the more normal gradual curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light.  It is typically diagnosed in children in the age group of 10-18 yrs. C3R (COLLAGEN CROSS-LINKING) SURGERY was the remedial measure taken to stabilize the cornea and vision for the child.