Abstract
Background: Blind Children require access to quality rehabilitation services to optimize function and reduce their disabilities. This may be difficult if competent educators are not available in special education centers in developing countries.
 Method: A prospective study carried out on consenting parents and pupils at a special education center in South western Nigeria.
 Results: Sixty-two blind eyes from 31 participants were examined. 25.8% [16] had Optic atrophy, 16.1% [10] had complicated cataracts, 12.9% [8] had Cornea related blindness, 9.7% [6] had End stage Glaucoma, another 9.7% [6] had Phthisis bulbi while the last 25.85% [16] were classified as Others. 94.1% of the educators had undergone Special educational training over the last 20 years but only 11[64.7%] had attended any refresher course over the last 5 years to update theirs teaching skills and only 11.8% had easy access to Online study materials for research and training. Academic skills were taught by all teachers with all students being able to read and write in Braile but recreational skills were least taught in the school.
 Conclusion: A need for strong Governmental and Non-governmental advocacy to support training of Special educators and to integrate parental education in the Rehabilitation process.
Highlights
Normal vision is defined as Visual acuity of 20/20 while blindness is Vision worse than 20/100 after the best correction1
Ezegwui et al in South east Nigeria found that the major causes of blindness in children were related to the lens (30.4%), cornea lesions (21.7%), whole globe involvement eg Phthisis bulbi (17.4%), and Congenital glaucoma (10.9%
This study aims to determine the aetiology of blindness and assess rehabilitation challenges amongst children attending a Special Education center in Ogun State
Summary
Normal vision is defined as Visual acuity of 20/20 while blindness is Vision worse than 20/100 after the best correction. While regions in Sub Sahara Africa have documented mainly Cornea (36%), Retina (20%), Optic nerve (16%), Lens (9%) and Globe (9%) related causes. Ezegwui et al in South east Nigeria found that the major causes of blindness in children were related to the lens (30.4%), cornea lesions (21.7%), whole globe involvement eg Phthisis bulbi (17.4%), and Congenital glaucoma (10.9%). Blind Children require access to quality rehabilitation services to optimize function and reduce their disabilities. This may be difficult if competent educators are not available in special education centers in developing countries. Conclusion: A need for strong Governmental and Non-governmental advocacy to support training of Special educators and to integrate parental education in the Rehabilitation process
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