The prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness amongst learners at the Akropong School for the Blind in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Low vision and blindness have significant implications, resulting in a generally reduced quality of life amongst the sufferers. Aim: To determine the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness amongst learners at the Akropong School for the Blind. Setting: The study was conducted in Akropong School for the Blind, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Eye examinations included measurements of presenting distance visual acuity (PDVA) with the Tumbling ‘E’ distance LogMAR chart. Anterior and posterior segments were examined with an ophthalmoscope and a slit lamp. Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight ( N = 268) learners comprising 157 (58.6%) males and 111 (41.4%) females took part in this study and their ages ranged from 4 to 43 years (mean and standard deviation [SD] = 15.79 ± 6.15 years). The results indicated that 76.1% were classified as blind and 23.9% of the learners had low vision. The leading cause of low vision was glaucoma (39.1%) followed by pseudophakia (21.9%) and retinopathy (18.8%). The most common causes of low vision and blindness based on pathology found on ocular anatomical structures were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi (35.5%), followed by glaucoma (25%), cataract (13.4%) and retinopathy (10.8%). Conclusion: The leading causes of low vision and blindness identified in this study were because of avoidable diseases such as corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi and glaucoma. This highlighted the need for adequate primary eye care services, equitable eye health workforce distribution and eye health awareness in Ghana to help prevent low vision and blindness.