ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The main causes of blindness in children change over time. The prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in children were studied in northern Nigeria 6 years ago. This study like the previous one was a school eye health screening conducted in Zaria children school located at the centre of Zaria, a city in northern Nigeria.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:to determine the current prevalence and pattern of eye diseases affecting school children in Zaria. This is to serve as a current template for planning eye care for children in Zaria and environs.MATERIALS AND METHODS:a cross sectional study of 327 children who completed a pre-designed school eye screening format was conducted. Consent was obtained from the school authority and the parents before the screening exercise. It involved assessment of visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examination and colour vision testing. Intraocular pressure measurement and refraction were done for those with indications.RESULT :A total of 327 children were examined, out of which 45.6% (n=149) were males and 54.4% (n=178) were females. M: F=1:1.2. Age range 5-17 yrs with mean of 9.6 ± 3.1(SD). The commonest causes of eye disorders were refractive errors 8.0% (n=26), allergic conjunctivitis 7.3 % (n=24), glaucoma suspects 3.7% (n=12) and colour deficiency 1.5%(n=5).CONCLUSION :The major causes of childhood eye disorders were uncorrected refractive errors and allergic conjunctivitis. The predominance of uncorrected refractive error is similar to what is obtainable in other parts of the world especially in the urban areas
Subject(s)
Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Eye Diseases/epidemiology , Eye Diseases/etiology , Nigeria , Prevalence , Sex Distribution , Vision Disorders , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Background: Differences exist in the impact of blindness by age and sex; the overall risk of death being higher for blind males than females. Aim: To describe the age and sex differences among the blind in Ahoada-East Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State; Nigeria. Methods: Age and sex data were analyzed for 24 blind persons seen during a cross-sectional; community-based study of blindness in Ahoada East LGA. A total of 866 subjects were studied and ocular examination included visual acuity; pen torch examination; fundoscopy and applanation tonometry. Ages were estimated from historic events or verified using hospital/immunization cards. Results: Of the 866 subjects examined; there were 400 males and 466 females. Children and adolescents (0-19 years) formed 44.1while those = 60 years old were 16. Of the 24 blind persons; 21 (87.5) were over 60 years while 3 (12.5) were less than 50 years old; the difference in age among the blind was statistically significant (P 0.05). The age-specific prevalence of blindness in the study population increased from 0.6in adolescence to 38.3in those =90 years. The sex specific prevalence of blindness was 4.5for males and 1.3for females. Males were more likely to be blind than females (Relative Risk=3.49; 95CI=1.40-8.72). Conclusion: This study found blindness to be commoner in the older age groups; and the male gender appeared to be an important risk factor. Eye health education must target such vulnerable groups. Males especially should be enlightened on social habits and environmental factors that increase their risk