Okoye O I, Aghaji A E, Ikojo I N
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, P M B 01129, Enugu, Nigeria.
Niger J Med. 2009 Jul-Sep;18(3):306-10. doi: 10.4314/njm.v18i3.51198.
There are an estimated 1.4 million blind children worldwide, it has been observed that almost 90% of the so-called blind population (children inclusive) do not have total loss of visual function, but retain a degree of usable residual vision. The study aims to determined the sites and causes of visual loss in the students of a school for the blind in Nigeria, and also the proportion of those students who could benefit from low vision devices.
Forty-five students of the school were examined using the standard World Health Organization/Prevention of blindness examination record for childhood blindness. Refraction and assessment for low vision devices were conducted, where necessary.
Glaucoma/buphthalmos (22.2%) and corneal lesions (20%) were the major causes of vision loss. Six students (13.3%) benefited from spectacles and/or low vision devices.
Glaucoma/buphthalmos is assuming great significance in this study population, though most of the causes of vision loss are avoidable (77.7%). There is need for low vision service in the schools for the blind in South East Nigeria.
据估计，全球有140万盲童，据观察，几乎90%的所谓盲人（包括儿童）并未完全丧失视觉功能，而是保留了一定程度的可用残余视力。本研究旨在确定尼日利亚一所盲人学校学生视力丧失的部位和原因，以及那些能从低视力设备中受益的学生比例。
使用世界卫生组织/儿童盲症预防检查的标准记录，对该校45名学生进行检查。必要时进行验光和低视力设备评估。
青光眼/牛眼症（22.2%）和角膜病变（20%）是视力丧失的主要原因。6名学生（13.3%）受益于眼镜和/或低视力设备。
在本研究人群中，青光眼/牛眼症具有重要意义，尽管大多数视力丧失原因是可以避免的（77.7%）。尼日利亚东南部的盲人学校需要低视力服务。
