ABSTRACT
To determine the anatomical site and underlying causes of blindness and severe visual impairment [BL/SVI], in schools for the blind in East Azerbaijan state with determining potentially preventable and treatable causes. Between October 2003 and November 2004 a total of 124 students attending three schools for the blind in East Azerbaijan state were examined clinically and data reported using the WHO/PEL childhood blindness assessment form. Most of the students [91.9%] were blind. The major causes of BL/SVI in our study were: Retinal dystrophy [mainly early onset retinitis pigmentosa] in 34.7% of participents; cataract and aphakia in 14.5%; corneal scar/haze in 15.4% and microphthalmus in 13.7%. The retina was the major anatomical site of visual loss [41.1%] followed by the whole globe [23.4%], lens [14.5%], cornea [15.3%] and optic nerve [5.6%]. A relatively high proportion of childhood blindness in East Azerbaijan state has avoidable causes. Most cases of corneal scars and phthisis can be prevented, and cataract is potentially treatable condition