Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://adhlui.com.ui.edu.ng/jspui/handle/123456789/1774
Title: | Causes of childhood blindness at ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria |
Authors: | Olatunji, F.O Kirupananthan, S Ayanniyi, A. A Abuh, S |
Keywords: | Childhood Blindness, Causes Treatable Preventable Avoidable |
Issue Date: | 2009 |
Publisher: | COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN |
Citation: | Afr J Med Med Sci 2009 38(1). 29-32 |
Abstract: | The study aimed at identifying the causes of childhood blindness at ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano. The causes of visual loss in 31 consecutive patients aged <16 years who attended the ECWA eye Hospital between 1993 and 1996, who had a vision of <3/60 in the better eye were recorded. The eyes were examined with a slit lamp or flashlight a loupe, and an ophthalmoscope. The intraocular pressure was taken with either a Schiotz or an applanation tonometer. There were 14 males (45.0%), the mean age was 6 years; range: 1 to 15 years. Corneal causes were responsible for blindness in 54.8%. Measles was responsible for 10 cases; neonatal infection was responsible in 2 cases. Four cases were due to lens lesions. By aetiologic category, childhood factors accounted for (32.3%). The causes in 51.7% were not known. Hereditary factors and perinatal factor accounted for 6.4% cases each. Intrauterine factors were responsible for 1 case. Eighteen (58.6%) of the cases were due to avoidable causes; 12 (38.4%) being preventable and 6 (19.2%) treatable. The causes of childhood blindness in this study are consistent with those of low economic regions with a high prevalence of avoidable blindness. |
Description: | Article |
URI: | http://adhlui.com.ui.edu.ng/jspui/handle/123456789/1774 |
ISSN: | 1116-4077 |
Appears in Collections: | African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Olatunji et al_Causes_2009.pdf | Article | 9.99 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in COMUI (ADHL) are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.