Prevalence and causes of blindness in a tropical African population

Abstract

A population based survey of Egbedore Local Government area (LGA), a tropical African population in Osun State, Nigeria was conducted to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness in the community, Osun State, one of the new states created on 27th August, 1991 is situated in the southwest region of Nigeria. It has a population of about 2, 654,244 using the population growth rate of 3.0 percent per year. Egbedore LGA has a population of 49,555 being the projected estimate of the local census done in 1991. The study was in accordance with World Health Organisation recommendations. 3204 rural dwellers were examined. The survey team was divided into: 1. Registration team 2. Retrieval team 3. Visual acuity team 4. Ocular examination team. The survey candidates, once registered were asked to go to a nearby school or health center where visual acuity and ocular examination teams completed the assignment. The retrieval team consisted of an ophthalmic nurse and a local escort who persuaded and brought to examination site registered individuals who failed to appear voluntarily. Ocular examination team performed the eye examination. Analysis of data was done using personal computer AT model and systat package for analysis. It is found that 1.18% of the population was blind by WHO standard. Cataract alone accounted for 47.4% of the blind, uncorrected aphakia 18.4%, glaucoma 15.8%, phthisis bulbi 5.3%, uveitis, optic atrophy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and refractive error all accounted for 2.6% each. More than half of the burden of blindness is potentially curable. About a third is preventable through health education, early diagnosis and prompt treatment. A cataract outreach programme with provision of low cost aphakic glasses will go a long way in reducing blindness in this community and Osun State in general.