As a special initiative to promote research in the area of congenital blindness, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will soon begin research in the area of ophthalmology. The main objective of the study is primarily to investigate causes of anophthalmia and or micropthalmia in Bhojpur and any other parts of country for possible intervention to prevent and manage this problem.
The study in congenital blindness is significant because as many as 28 cases of congenital blindness born during April 2009 to February 2010 were reported from Bhojpur district, Patna in February 2010. A specialist team from Patna Medical College was sent to the affected area in April, 2010. The team confirmed the presence of congenital anomaly but could not find any possible correlation with high content of arsenic in potable water or any other cause.
Subsequently,a central team of three ophthalmologists were deputed by directorate general of health services (DGHS) to examine this issue. They confirmed the presence of anophthalmia and or/microphthalmia in the subjects. Systemic examination by a paediatrician did not reveal any associated anomaly except for inferior eye lid hemangiomas in six children.
It is in this background that the ICMR is proposing to begin research in the area of ophthalmology, epidemiology, genetics and other relevant fields to examine this occurrence of congenital blindness and to identify probable cause.
Scientific priorities of the research include: Detailed clinical evaluation of the affected children on a well designed proforma with appropriate investigations; Epidemiological survey to find the prevalence of the various eye defects and to determine associated possible risk factors; Genetic studies including chromosomal and molecular analysis to investigate the causes; Studies on environmental and possible infectious causes such as TORCH etc; and any other related or relevant aspects.
The ICMR has invited project proposals from the scientific community for the purpose. All research applicants must be working in a permanent position in a medical college, research institute, or university, anywhere in the country including government, semi-government and registered bodies. Applications from non-governmental agencies and private organizations should provide documentary evidence of registration certificate for research with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), government of India, previous research track record, etc.