RESUMO
To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project. Using key informants [KIs] working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area [LGA] were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions. Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 [97%] were examined. Twenty children [35%] were blind, 17 [29%] were irreversibly blind, and 9 [16%] had low vision [<6/18 to 3/60] with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi [75%], and cataract [15%]. The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable [80%] as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles. The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery