Causes and anatomical site of blindness and severe visual loss in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT

This study in 2005 evaluated the causes and major anatomical site of blindness and severe visual loss at a school for blind children in Isfahan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. All 211 students were examined according to the modified WHO/PBL eye examination record 70.4% were blind, 24.3% had severe visual loss and 5.3% were visually impaired. The major causes of abnormality were hereditary factors [42.7%], prenatal/ neonatal [18.5%] and unknown etiology [35.5%]. The main sites of abnormality were the retina [62.6%], whole globe [17.5%], lens [7.1%] and optic nerve [7.1%]. A high proportion of parents were in a consanguineous marriage [49.2%]. The pattern of blindness in Isfahan encompasses characteristics of both developed and developing countries