Abstract
Purpose: The study aimed at identifying the causes of blindness and visual impairment; and the need for optical intervention among blind and vision impaired children in the only special school in Eritrea.
Methodology: All students in the only school for the blind in Eritrea were examined clinically and data reported using the WHO/PBL childhood blindness assessment form. Students with improved vision with optical correction and/or low vision aids were provided such devices free of cost.
Results: A total of 77 children (male: 54.5%) with mean age 11.8±2.6 years attending the special school were examined. Number of children in vision impairment; severe vision impairment and blindness was 10 (12.9%), 24 (31.2%) and 37 (48.1%) respectively. Six (7.8%) children were wrongly enrolled. The major anatomical site for loss of vision was whole globe (26.8%) followed by retina (18.3%),cornea (16.9%)and lens (15.5%). Post natal/Childhood factors were the major etiological category for loss of vision including 11.3% due to blast injury. Avoidable causes of vision impairment accounted for 52.1% of children (23.9% preventable and 28.2% treatable). Thirty two children (41.6%) were provided some form of optical intervention (spectacles and low vision aids) for improvement in vision function. Based on the functional vision, 26 (33.8%) children were recommended to change the mode of learning from Braille to print.
Conclusion: This blind school study is the first reported for Eritrea. A large proportion of these students could be benefited from optical intervention. This suggests the need to develop policy and programs focusing on preventive public health strategies as well as on specialist pediatric ophthalmic and optical services for the management of childhood blindness in Eritrea.
Methodology: All students in the only school for the blind in Eritrea were examined clinically and data reported using the WHO/PBL childhood blindness assessment form. Students with improved vision with optical correction and/or low vision aids were provided such devices free of cost.
Results: A total of 77 children (male: 54.5%) with mean age 11.8±2.6 years attending the special school were examined. Number of children in vision impairment; severe vision impairment and blindness was 10 (12.9%), 24 (31.2%) and 37 (48.1%) respectively. Six (7.8%) children were wrongly enrolled. The major anatomical site for loss of vision was whole globe (26.8%) followed by retina (18.3%),cornea (16.9%)and lens (15.5%). Post natal/Childhood factors were the major etiological category for loss of vision including 11.3% due to blast injury. Avoidable causes of vision impairment accounted for 52.1% of children (23.9% preventable and 28.2% treatable). Thirty two children (41.6%) were provided some form of optical intervention (spectacles and low vision aids) for improvement in vision function. Based on the functional vision, 26 (33.8%) children were recommended to change the mode of learning from Braille to print.
Conclusion: This blind school study is the first reported for Eritrea. A large proportion of these students could be benefited from optical intervention. This suggests the need to develop policy and programs focusing on preventive public health strategies as well as on specialist pediatric ophthalmic and optical services for the management of childhood blindness in Eritrea.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting 2015 - New Orleans, United States Duration: 7 Oct 2015 → 10 Oct 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting 2015 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | New Orleans |
| Period | 7/10/15 → 10/10/15 |