International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Blindness and vision related disability in Bangladesh
Childhood blindness project is a research initiative of the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to implement extensive, large scale epidemiological, qualitative and clinical research on blindness and vision related disability in Bangladesh. The primary aim of the project was to collect, analyse and disseminate valid data to initiate and assist a rationale planning process to control childhood blindness in Bangladesh. Following major research studies were undertaken by CBPB:
The Bangladesh National Study on Childhood Blindness 2002. Prospective study of outcome of cataract surgery in children.
A qualitative study on children with blindness and vision related disability in Bangladesh.
A study to assess the impact of blindness and sight restoring surgery in children in terms of neurodevelopment using Raynell-Zinkin Scale for developmental assessment.
Development of a novel method to identify blind children from the communities and households: The Key Informant Method.
A study to assess the Functional Vision in Children before and after sight restoring surgery.
A situation analysis of paediatric eye care services in Bangladesh.
A situation analysis of educational facilities for children with blindness and vision related disability in Bangladesh.
A situation analysis of rehabilitation facilities for children with blindness and vision related disability in Bangladesh.
During the implementation of several research studies CBPB team visited and worked in all 64 districts of Bangladesh and developed an extensive network of organisations and individuals concerned with blind children. This network was further developed and supported by CBPB to create a new platform for interested individuals and organisations with a view to control childhood blindness-this organisation was formally initiated as ChildSight Foundation in December 2002.
CBPB provided services to blind children throughout the country.
Over 1,200 sight-restoring surgeries were performed with the support from CBPB.
Over 800 children received sight restoring cataract surgery.
Over 2,000 blind children were identified by CBPB and examined by the CBPB ophthalmologist during the National Study.
Over 600 children were advised and referred for sight restoring cataract surgery completely free of cost.
Over 700 children who had been operated for cataract were re-traced and re-examined after one year of surgery to assess the outcome.