Cambridge Ophthalmology Symposium
Eye (2007) 21, 1249–1253. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702837
Childhood blindness: a UK epidemiological perspective
Paper presented at the 36th Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium, September 2006
- 1Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
- 3Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
Correspondence: JS Rahi, Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology, Institute of Child Health, London, UK. Tel: +44 020 7905 2250; Fax: +44 020 7905 2381; E-mail: j.rahi@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Received 4 March 2007; Revised 21 March 0000; Accepted 21 March 2007.
Abstract
The purposes of this short paper are to introduce the reader to the aims of ophthalmic epidemiology and its relevance to clinical practice in ophthalmology and to vision science research. Summarise what is known currently about the epidemiology of severe visual impairment and blindness in childhood in the UK. Highlight the key gaps in our knowledge in this area and identify some of the most pressing challenges in terms of research.
Keywords:
epidemiology, childhood blindness
