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Blindness in Africa: present situation and future needs.

S Lewallen1, P Courtright

  • 1British Columbia Centre for Epidemiologic and International Ophthalmology.

The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 24, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Approximately 1% of Africans are blind, primarily from preventable causes like cataract and trachoma. Addressing these and improving eye care infrastructure are crucial for achieving global vision goals.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Blindness remains a significant public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Existing eye care services face considerable limitations in addressing the high prevalence of visual impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence and causes of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • To assess current eye care services and their limitations.
  • To outline the Vision 2020 goals for future interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of population-based surveys published within the last 20 years.
  • Tabulation of blindness prevalence and etiological factors.
  • Description of current resources and needs based on recent literature and international reports.

Main Results:

  • Blindness prevalence varies across the region, with an estimated 1% of the population affected.
  • Cataract is the leading cause of blindness, followed by trachoma and glaucoma.
  • The majority of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa is preventable or treatable.

Conclusions:

  • Focusing on cost-effective interventions for prevalent conditions like cataract and refractive errors is essential.
  • Primary healthcare measures targeting focal causes such as trachoma, onchocerciasis, and vitamin A deficiency are critical.
  • Achieving Vision 2020 goals necessitates substantial improvements in staffing, infrastructure, and community programs.

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