Causes of blindness in two institutions for the blind in Yemen

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the main causes of blindness in persons living at two Institutions for the Blind in Sana'a and Aden in Yemen. A total of 425 blind persons living in the Al Noor Institutes for the Blind in Sana'a and Aden were studied during January to September 1995 [310 male and 115 female]. Their ages ranged from 1 year to 48 years with 78% being under 30 years. Only those with a visual acuity [VA] of counting fingers [CF] were selected. The main causes of blindness were shown as 59% due to ocular disease [congenital optic atrophy, trauma, congenital glaucoma, congenital anophthalmos, conical opacitites, congenital cataract, retinal detachment, intraocular foreign bodies, keratoconus, chronic, simple glaucoma, ocular bums, expulsion, microconea, retinitis pigmentosa and ophthalmia neonatrum]. Systemic diseases were the cause of 41% of blindness, [meningitis, measles, rubella, chickenpox, diabetes mellitus, hydrocephalus, malaria, septicemia, subdural hematoma and albinism]. Conclusions: The main causes of blindness in our study group was shown to be 59% ocular disease [mainly congenital optic atrophy and trauma] and 41% systemic disease [mainly meningitis and measles]. Blindness mainly affected the young, active male person and highlighted the need for a comprehensive immunization program and general public health education