Causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools in Jordan

ABSTRACT

To identify the major causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools in Amman-Jordan with a view to determine potentially preventable and treatable causes. This study was conducted in two schools for visually handicapped children in Amman. The medical records of 160 students were reviewed during the period between August and October 2005. A total of one hundred and sixty students [85 males and 75 females, aged 6-18 years] were enrolled in the study Twenty -eight children [17.5%] had severe visual impairment and 132 [82.5%] were blind. Retinal abnormalities were the most common pathology [41.9%]. Glaucoma, primary optic nerve pathology and cataract constituted 18.8%, 13.1% and 11.3% respectively. According to timing of insult, the major cause of visual impairment was hereditary diseases [50%], followed by abnormalities of unknown timing of insult [30%]. It was estimated that 71 children [44.4%] suffer from visual impairment caused by potentially preventable or treatable conditions. The major causes of severe visual impairment and blindness among children in visually handicapped schools were glaucoma, primary optic nerve pathology and cataract