학술논문
The causes of visual impairment in children in a school for the blind in Johannesburg
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
South African Ophthalmology Journal. March 2020, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p23, 4 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2218-8304
Abstract
Introduction It has been estimated that 1.4 million children are blind globally, three-quarters of whom are from developing countries. (1) The World Health Organization's (WHO) Vision 20/20--The Right to Sight [...]
Background: More than 1.4 million children are blind worldwide. The significance lies in the social, emotional and economic implications of childhood visual impairment, which are endured throughout a lifetime of 'blind years'. Information regarding the epidemiology and risk factors relating to childhood visual impairment is essential for the development and implementation of targeted interventions. Objectives: To identify the causes of childhood blindness in a school for the blind in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a representation of trends in our urban population. Methods: All learners attending a school for the blind in Johannesburg were evaluated. Information obtained was recorded using the World Health Organization Programme for the Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) method and reporting form. Results: A total of 189 learners were examined, of which 110 (59%) had severe visual impairment or blindness. The major affected anatomical sites were the retina (42%), whole globe (16%), optic nerve (10%), cornea (8%), uvea (6%) and lens (5%). Retinopathy of prematurity was the most common retinal condition (n=26, 14%). Hereditary conditions were responsible for 28% of visual impairment in learners. Aetiology was indeterminate in 41% of learners. Avoidable causes accounted for 29% of learners. Conclusion: There has been a change in the disease pattern of childhood blindness in this study population, when compared to the findings of a nationwide study conducted in 1996. While many advances have been made regarding immunisation, vitamin supplementation and ophthalmic management of paediatric cataracts, the implementation of further measures are still required in order to overcome avoidable causes of childhood visual impairment. Keywords: ophthalmology, paediatrics, South Africa, prevention, public health Funding: Transportation of learners from Sibonile School to St John Eye Hospital, for examination, was paid for by Retina South Africa, a non-profit organisation. Conflict of interest: Neither of the authors have any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission.
Background: More than 1.4 million children are blind worldwide. The significance lies in the social, emotional and economic implications of childhood visual impairment, which are endured throughout a lifetime of 'blind years'. Information regarding the epidemiology and risk factors relating to childhood visual impairment is essential for the development and implementation of targeted interventions. Objectives: To identify the causes of childhood blindness in a school for the blind in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a representation of trends in our urban population. Methods: All learners attending a school for the blind in Johannesburg were evaluated. Information obtained was recorded using the World Health Organization Programme for the Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) method and reporting form. Results: A total of 189 learners were examined, of which 110 (59%) had severe visual impairment or blindness. The major affected anatomical sites were the retina (42%), whole globe (16%), optic nerve (10%), cornea (8%), uvea (6%) and lens (5%). Retinopathy of prematurity was the most common retinal condition (n=26, 14%). Hereditary conditions were responsible for 28% of visual impairment in learners. Aetiology was indeterminate in 41% of learners. Avoidable causes accounted for 29% of learners. Conclusion: There has been a change in the disease pattern of childhood blindness in this study population, when compared to the findings of a nationwide study conducted in 1996. While many advances have been made regarding immunisation, vitamin supplementation and ophthalmic management of paediatric cataracts, the implementation of further measures are still required in order to overcome avoidable causes of childhood visual impairment. Keywords: ophthalmology, paediatrics, South Africa, prevention, public health Funding: Transportation of learners from Sibonile School to St John Eye Hospital, for examination, was paid for by Retina South Africa, a non-profit organisation. Conflict of interest: Neither of the authors have any proprietary interests or conflicts of interest related to this submission.