Blindness in the Sudan: prevalence and causes in Blue Nile Province

A survey was carried out in the Blue Nile Province of the Sudan to study the prevalence and causes of blindness and the possible effect of traditional folk medicine. Blind people were examined by ophthalmic assistants and were questioned by a social worker. From the results of the study the overall prevalence of blindness was estimated to be about 660 per 100 000. The main causes of blindness were found to be cataract, anterior segment diseases, glaucoma, trauma, posterior segment diseases, and congenital anomalies. The cataract cases could, however, be corrected fairly easily by surgical intervention. Over 57% of blind persons had tried traditional folk medicine, 26.4% had tried modern medicine, and 16.1% had tried both. Further studies are planned in all provinces of the country.