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Causes of Childhood Vision Impairment in the School for the Blind in Eritrea

Rajendra Gyawali1, Vanessa R Moodley2

  • 1Department of Optometry, Asmara College of Health Sciences, Asmara, Eritrea.

Optometry and Vision Science : Official Publication of the American Academy of Optometry
|October 21, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Nearly half of childhood vision loss in Eritrea is due to avoidable causes like corneal scars and congenital deformities. This study highlights the need for preventive strategies and pediatric eye care to reduce childhood blindness.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Childhood blindness is a significant issue in resource-limited countries.
  • Understanding the specific causes of vision impairment in children is crucial for developing effective interventions.
  • Eritrea lacks comprehensive data on the etiological factors contributing to childhood vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary causes of severe vision impairment and blindness in children attending the sole school for the blind in Eritrea.
  • To provide evidence for planning targeted public health strategies and services for affected children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving the examination of all children enrolled in the school for the blind.
  • Utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) form for visually impaired children, including visual acuity, refraction, and detailed eye assessments.
  • Classified causes of vision loss by anatomical site and underlying etiology.

Main Results:

  • Out of 92 children examined, 71 (77.2%) had severe vision impairment or blindness.
  • Leading causes included corneal scars (16.9%), cataract (12.7%), phthisis bulbi (11.3%), and congenital eye deformities (11.3%).
  • Potentially avoidable causes accounted for 47.9% of vision impairment, with hereditary factors (15.5%) and eye injuries (12.7%) as major etiological categories.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first direct evidence of childhood vision impairment causes in Eritrea.
  • Nearly half of the vision loss identified is attributed to preventable or treatable causes.
  • Recommendations include implementing preventive public health strategies, enhancing specialist pediatric eye care, and establishing rehabilitative services.
Abstract

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