title: Optic neuropathy endemic in secondary school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and causes of optic neuropathy, reported as epidemic in 1997, among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  First year students (n = 10,892) from 63 secondary schools located within 30 km from the base hospital were interviewed and had a visual acuity (VA) screening test. Students failing the 6/12-line in either eye were defined as having "poor eyesight" and referred to the base hospital where an optometrist re-tested VA and refracted them. An ophthalmologist examined students with VA of 6/12 or worse in either eye and visual impairment was defined as VA of worse than 6/12 with best correction. Associations between optic neuropathy, socioeconomic status and educational results were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students' ages ranged from 12 to 22 (mean 15.2) years; 50.6% were male. The prevalence of optic neuropathy was 0.3 (SD 0.051)%. The condition affected older students and was associated with the family having fewer economic possessions (car, computer, television). Optic neuropathy accounted for 19/33 (58%) of bilateral visual impairment cases. No effect of the disease on educational performance was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optic neuropathy remains a significant problem in this population and can now be termed endemic rather than epidemic. Further research into its causes is required.
authors: CCBRT Disability Hospital, PO Box 23310, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. richardandruthbowman@gmail.com
authors: R J C
authors: RJ
authors: Bowman
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wedner
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Bowman
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Masanja
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bunce
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Wood
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult