Visual loss in a school for the blind in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
There are an estimated 1.4 million blind children worldwide, it has been observed that almost 90% of the so-called blind population (children inclusive) do not have total loss of visual function, but retain a degree of usable residual vision. The study aims to determined the sites and causes of visual loss in the students of a school for the blind in Nigeria, and also the proportion of those students who could benefit from low vision devices.


METHODS
Forty-five students of the school were examined using the standard World Health Organization/Prevention of blindness examination record for childhood blindness. Refraction and assessment for low vision devices were conducted, where necessary.


RESULTS
Glaucoma/buphthalmos (22.2%) and corneal lesions (20%) were the major causes of vision loss. Six students (13.3%) benefited from spectacles and/or low vision devices.


CONCLUSIONS
Glaucoma/buphthalmos is assuming great significance in this study population, though most of the causes of vision loss are avoidable (77.7%). There is need for low vision service in the schools for the blind in South East Nigeria.
Okoye
O I
OI
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, P M B 01129, Enugu, Nigeria. oicokoye@yahoo.com
Aghaji
A E
AE
Ikojo
I N
IN
D000293:Adolescent; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004519:Education, Special; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000379:methods; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult