Causes of Blindness in the School for the Blind under the Patronage of the Queen, Chiang Mai

Somsanguan Ausayakhun, M.D., M.H.SC.*
Adisai Waradisal, M.D.*
Kanokwan Suanyam, M.D.*
Samran Wangspa, M.D.**
* Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.
** Royal Medical Division, Suan Chitrslada, Dusit Palace.



ABSTRACT The study aimed to identify the major cause of visual loss in children attending the School for the Blind in Chiang Mai so that appropriate prevention, treatment and rehabilitation can be implemented. A total of 123 children attending the school during the academic year of 1996 were examined. There were 74 males (60.2%) and 49 females (39.8%), age range from 4-25 years with the maximum range at 11-15 years (40.7%). lesions affecting the whole globe was responsible for 38.2% and was the commonest cause of blindness, followed by comeal diseases (26.4%), pos terior segment diseases (20.3%), diseases of lens (11.8%) and undetermined due to post enucleation (3.3%).

Thai J Ophthaliuol 1997 ; January-June 11(1): 9-15.