RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Kulkarni, Sucheta A1 - Gilbert, Clare A1 - Kakade, Nilesh A1 - Dole, Kuldeep A1 - Deshpande, Col A1 - Azad, Rajvardhan T1 - Habilitation services for children blind from retinopathy of prematurity: Health care professionals' perspective in Maharashtra YR - 2019/6/1 JF - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Indian J Ophthalmol SP - 928 OP - 931 VO - 67 IS - 6 UL - https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2019;volume=67;issue=6;spage=928;epage=931;aulast=Kulkarni;t=5 DO - 10.4103/ijo.IJO_573_18 N2 - Purpose: To explore the knowledge of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and habilitation services for children with visual loss from ROP, among health care professionals (HCPs) involved in care of preterm children and to explore their attitudes and practices in relation to referral for habilitation. Methods: A modified knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire were administered to ophthalmologists and paediatricians associated with ROP care. Data were collected about their knowledge, beliefs and practices of ROP and referral to rehabilitation facilities. Data were analysed to establish level of knowledge, type of attitude and practices and its association with speciality. Results: Response rate was 78% (25/32). Most (14/25, 56%) were ophthalmologists. All (100%) participants knew that ROP can cause blindness. Knowledge about Indian ROP screening criteria was poor among a third (8/25, 32%), more so in paediatricians (5/11, 45.5%). Most (21/25, 84%) did not have knowledge of what a habilitation service entails and where such facilities are located. More than two-thirds (18/25, 72%) believed that special education should be preferred over inclusive education. Overall, 10/25 (40%) of the HCPs had never referred a child for rehabilitation. More than a half (13/25, 52%) were not confident of counselling parents of blind children. All agreed that rehabilitation services are not part of but should be included in medical curriculum. Conclusion: Indian guidelines for ROP screening are not universally known among HCPs. Educating medical undergraduates, providing counselling training to professionals and integration of rehabilitation into the health system will ensure continuity of care for children with visual loss and their families. ER -