Morbidity Profile and Disability Certification among Patients attending a Vision Rehabilitation Clinic in a Tertiary Care Institute of Northern India

Background: Low vision is a significant cause of visual morbidity in India, yet information on the demographic profile, disease patterns, and assistive technology (AT) utilisation among individuals seeking rehabilitation services remains limited. This study assessed the socio-demographic characteristics, morbidity profile, prior healthcare pathways, and awareness and use of AT among individuals attending a vision rehabilitation clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 1,067 patients attending a tertiary care vision rehabilitation centre. Data were collected on demographics, socioeconomic status, visual acuity, morbidity patterns, prior health system contact, and awareness, usage, and unmet need for assistive products (APs). Results: Males comprised 68.7% of participants, with most (45.1%) aged 18 to 29 years. A majority were unemployed (88.6%), from joint families (75.3%), and economically weaker (95% earning <3 lakh/year). Optic atrophy (13.2%), retinitis pigmentosa (20.8%), rod-cone dystrophy (9.9%), and Stargardts disease (9.8%) were among the leading causes of visual impairment. Most participants had severe visual loss, with 94.8% having <1/60 vision. Only 20.4% possessed a disability card (UDID) despite being eligible. Nearly all patients (99%) had visited multiple health centres before reaching rehabilitation. Conclusion: The study highlights a predominantly young, unemployed population with hereditary ocular diseases and profound visual loss. Awareness and utilisation of assistive technologies remain critically low, underscoring the need for early referral pathways, improved AT training, financial support, and UDID uptake to enhance functional rehabilitation.