Blindness in the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

There are no known studies of prevalence of blindness in the United Arab Emirates. The prospective study was undertaken to determine the conditions that cause blindness. A hospital-based study was conducted in which 100 males and 57 females were examined. Causes of blindness were cataract [37.9%], corneal opacities [27.89%], glaucoma [24.5%], retinal conditions [7%], phthiasis bulbi [3%] and optic atrophy [1.5%]. Most of the conditions found cause preventable blindness