CAUSES OF LOW VISION AND BLINDNESS IN A SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IN ABUJA

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the causes of low vision and blindness among the pupils in a school for the 
blind. 
Methods: Full ophthalmic assessment was carried out including visual acuity assessment, 
anterior and posterior segments examination, and where possible, intraocular pressure. Hence 
both the anatomical and aetiological causes of low vision/ blindness were determined. 
Results: One hundred and eleven pupils were present during the period of the study while 110 
consented and participated in the study. The ages ranged from 6-32 years with a mean of 14.5 
+/- 5.6 years. Sixty-nine students (62.7%) were aged less than 16 years while 41 (37.3%) were 
aged 16 years and above. About forty-six percent (46.4%) had PVA of nil light perception (NLP) 
while 38.2% had PVA of <3/60- LP (category 4). Hence, the prevalence of low vision (PVA <6/18-
3/60) in this population was 14.6% while that of blindness (PVA< 3/60) was 84.6%. The 
commonest anatomic site responsible for visual loss was whole globe (38.2%). This was 
followed by retina (25.5%), lens (17.3%), cornea (7.3%) and uvea (1.8%). Only 29 (26.4%) had 
previously undergone any form of eye surgery. The commonest aetiological group in terms of 
timing of insult causing visual loss was made up of conditions whose aetiology ‘cannot be 
determined’ (36.4%). The second commonest group was childhood factors (34.5%). This was 
followed by hereditary factors (25.5%). 
Conclusion: Avoidable childhood factors are the principal causes of blindness in this population. 
Therefore, there exists an urgent need to tackle these factors to save our future generations 
from needless blindness