European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: One in three blind persons worldwide, or an estimated 15 million blind people, reside in India, according to statistics. Out of those 15 million, 3.5 million cases of corneal blindness, one of the most prevalent causes of blindness nationwide with 30,000 new cases reported each year, have been reported. By employing a scientific methodology and disability criteria, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified and created a central database for people with disabilities called SADAREM (Software for assessment of the disabled for access, rehabilitation, and empowerment). Aims and objectives To assess Various Causes of Visual Disability Amongst Patients Presenting for SADAREM Certification at GMC/GGH, Srikakulam Materials and methods This was a hospital-based retrospective observational study conducted on 300 subjects who presented to the OPD for SADAREM certification from November 2021 to April 2022. A complete examination was done including testing visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment, and investigations such as tonometry, perimetry, gonioscopy, and OCT whenever necessary.  Results Preventable blindness was found to be 33% and Unpreventable causes were higher (67%) in our study population. 183(61%) patients were from rural backgrounds out of which 13.66% cases were of corneal opacity, 13% cases had Retinitis Pigmentosa, 8.33% had Glaucoma, and 8% Congenital anomalies. Conclusion: Our study found that low hygiene, poverty, lack of awareness, and negligence were the most common factors that contributed to visual impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors and other amblyogenic causes would help to reduce childhood and adolescent blindness significantly. Our study also found a considerable number of bilaterally blind cases of retinitis pigmentosa in our study.