Patients Seeking a Visual Impairment Certificate

March 22, 2025 updated by: Madona Gerges Boles, Assiut University

Prevalence, Causes and Demographic Profile of Patients Seeking a Visual Impairment Certificate

This study investigates the prevalence, causes, and demographic characteristics of patients seeking visual impairment certificates at Assiut Ophthalmology Hospital. Using a prospective cross-sectional design, it aims to identify the magnitude and nature of visual impairment in this population by analyzing clinical data, performing comprehensive eye examinations, and utilizing advanced diagnostic tools.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

The study is designed to explore the prevalence, underlying causes, and demographic profiles of patients requesting visual impairment certificates at Assiut Ophthalmology Hospital. It employs a prospective cross-sectional approach, recruiting patients from ophthalmology outpatient clinics who meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) definition of blindness. Blindness is defined as having best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) of 3/60 or less in the better eye or a visual field restricted to 10° or less in the widest diameter of vision.

Eligible participants undergo comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity measurement using Snellen charts, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, and automated perimetry for visual field assessment. Advanced investigations such as OCT macula imaging, VEP (visual evoked potential), ERG (electroretinography), ultrasound, and fundus photography are performed to identify the causes of visual impairment. Demographic data-such as age, sex, marital status, occupation, socioeconomic status, education level-and systemic medical history are collected to assess contributing factors.

The sample size was calculated using Epi-info software with a confidence level of 95% and confidence limits of 5%, estimating a minimum of 383 cases. By analyzing clinical findings alongside demographic characteristics, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the magnitude and nature of visual impairment in this specific population. This information could help inform public health strategies and improve services for visually impaired individuals.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

383

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants undergo comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity measurement using Snellen charts, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, and automated perimetry for visual field assessment. Advanced investigations such as OCT macula imaging, VEP (visual evoked potential), ERG (electroretinography), ultrasound, and fundus photography are performed to identify the causes of visual impairment. Demographic data-such as age, sex, marital status, occupation, socioeconomic status, education level-and systemic medical history are collected to assess contributing factors.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients requesting visual impairment certificate at Assiut ophthalmology hospital having all investigations Visual field, OCT macula, VEP, ERG, US, Fundus photography Werepatients who fulfilled WHO's definition of blindness. The blind patients according to WHO's,were defined as patients having best corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) of 3/60 or less in the better eye or a visual field restricted to 10 or less in the widest diameter of vision.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients unwilling to participate in the study Incomplete or missing investigations

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients Seeking Visual Impairment Certificates at Assiut Ophthalmology Hospital
The study population consists of patients requesting visual impairment certificates at Assiut Ophthalmology Hospital, who have undergone all required investigations, including visual field testing, OCT macula imaging, VEP, ERG, ultrasound, and fundus photography. Eligible participants are those fulfilling WHO's definition of blindness, defined as having best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) of 3/60 or less in the better eye or a visual field restricted to 10° or less in the widest diameter of vision. Excluded are patients unwilling to participate or with incomplete/missing investigations. A calculated sample size of 383 cases ensures statistical reliability. Demographic and clinical data such as age, sex, occupation, socioeconomic status, marital status, education level, and associated systemic conditions are collected alongside comprehensive eye examinations.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
BCVA
Time Frame: 1 month
BCVA of 3/60 or less in the better eye visual field restricted to 10 or less in the widest diameter of vision.
1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Assiut University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences Priya M et al. Int J Res Med Sci. 2023 Aug
  • Bourne et al. (2013). Prevalence and causes of vision loss in high-income countries: a review. Lancet Global Health

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 22, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 22, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 28, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 28, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 22, 2025

Last Verified

March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • visual impairment certificate

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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