Rikta PAUL, Sourav KARMAKAR, Rituparna GHOSHAL, Animesh MONDAL
Gulhane Medical Journal - 2026;68(1):46-53
Aims: To examine (1) the etiological patterns of low vision across pediatric, working-age, and geriatric populations; (2) the severity distribution of visual impairment; and (3) the prescription trends of low-vision devices (LVDs) at a single tertiary eye care centre in western India. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed the records of 1,039 patients who visited a low-vision clinic between January 2019 and April 2024. Demographic details, ocular diagnoses, visual acuity [classified per International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10)], and LVD prescriptions were analysed. Results: The cohort consisted predominantly of male patients (70.0%), with the following age distribution: working-age adults (45.0%; mean age 38.9+/-16.1 years), children (40.2%; mean age 10.2+/-3.3 years), and geriatric patients (14.7%; mean age 76.0+/-6.6 years). Retinal disorders (57.8%) were the leading cause of low vision, with age-specific variations: nystagmus (17.9%) and congenital cataracts (20.3%) in children; retinitis pigmentosa (25.0%) and diabetic retinopathy (25.6%) in working-age adults; and age-related macular degeneration (37.9%) and cataracts (55.6%) in the geriatric population. Moderate visual impairment was most common (48.8%), followed by blindness (25.9%). Telescopes were the most frequently prescribed LVDs (72.9%), and spectacle magnifiers were the most common near-vision aid (83.4%). Conclusions: The findings highlight distinct age-related patterns in the etiology of low vision and assistive device needs within this patient population. Although limited by its single-centre scope, this study offers valuable baseline data to guide age-specific rehabilitation strategies.
