Prevalence of Low Vision and Blindness Among Students in Government Institute for Visually Impaired Children, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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Background: Students enrolled in schools for visually impaired children may have varying degrees of residual vision, but institution-specific evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of moderate low vision, severe low vision, blindness, and normal visual acuity among students enrolled at the Government Institute for Visually Impaired Children, Peshawar, and to describe associated visual-function and rehabilitation indicators. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 106 students selected through an institution-based convenience approach. Assessments included unaided and best-corrected visual acuity recorded in logMAR units, pinhole response, visual-field extent, colour vision, spectacle use, low-vision-device use, and family history. Visual status was classified according to the visual-impairment framework applied in the study. Data were analysed descriptively using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0, and prevalence estimates were presented with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Blindness was present in 75 students (70.8%; 95% CI: 61.5%–78.6%), severe low vision in 14 (13.2%), moderate low vision in 11 (10.4%), and normal visual acuity in six (5.7%). Twenty-five students (23.6%) had moderate or severe low vision, whereas only 11 (10.4%) used a low-vision device. At least 14 of the 25 students with low vision (56.0%) were not using such a device. A positive family history was reported by 52.8%, and 59.4% had a both-eye visual-field extent of 40° or less. Conclusion: Blindness predominated, but a clinically important proportion retained measurable vision. Comprehensive assessment and individualized low-vision and educational services are required.
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