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

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