[Specific causes of blindness and vision impairment in a rural area of Southern Togo].
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalences of specific causes of blindness and visual impairment in a rural area of Southern Togo.


METHODS
A transversal exhaustive screening was conducted. The sample consisted of the inhabitants aged 5 years and over. From the census, 2293 persons were expected, however, 1738 (75.80%) responded and underwent screening. Each participant had complete ocular examination, and data collected were processed for analysis.


RESULTS
The mean age of all participants was 28.02 years, men were predominant. The prevalence of bilateral visual impairment was 2.13%, prevalence of unilateral impairment was 1.15%. Bilateral blindness prevalence was 2.47%, while unilateral blindness prevalence was 2. 65%. Main ocular blinding diseases and their prevalences were as follows: cataracts (8.34%), glaucoma (1.90%), corneal opacities (1. 09%). Women were more affected by bilateral visual impairment, bilateral blindness and cataract.: p= 0.0106 Men were more affected by glaucoma, corneal opacities and unilateral blindness. Participants aged 55 years and over were at high risk of blindness and visual impairment; p= 0.0104.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that prevalence of blindness is high, and its major causes are cataract, glaucoma and corneal opacities. A prevention strategy is therefore needed and targeted to these diseases.
Balo
P K
PK
Service d'Ophtalmologie, CHU de Lomé, Togo. komibalo@syfed.tg.refer.org
Wabagira
J
J
Banla
M
M
Kuaovi
R K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D014037:Togo / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*