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  • Title: [The currently most common causes of childhood blindness in Kinshasa (d. R. Congo)].
    Author: Knappe S, Schittkowski M, Schröder W, Hopkins A, Fichter N, Guthoff R.
    Journal: Klin Monbl Augenheilkd; 2007 Jul; 224(7):597-602. PubMed ID: 17657695.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: 90 % of blind children live in the developing world. Only limited data are available on the prevalence and causes of blindness. PURPOSE AND METHODS: In order to identify the commonest causes of childhood blindness in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a study was conducted in 81 children (< 16 years old) attending schools for the blind in the capital city Kinshasa. RESULTS: According to WHO criteria, 53 (65.4 %) of the 81 children were classifiable as blind (visual acuity < 3/60), 11 (13.6 %) as visually impaired (visual acuity < 1/18) and 17 (21.0 %) as not impaired. On anatomic and functional classifications the commonest causes of blindness were: corneal opacity/scarring (20.0 %), phthisis bulbi (15.2 %), refractive anomalies (11.0 %), optic nerve atrophy (9.0 %), retinal disorders (7.6 %), glaucoma/buphthalmos (7.6 %), cataract (6.9 %), microphthalmos (3.5 %), vitreous opacity (2.8 %) and aphakia (2.1 %). The aetiology of blindness could not be determined in most of the children. Trauma, measles in conjunction with vitamin A deficiency, and the use of traditional eye medications are presumed to be the commonest causes of corneal opacity/scarring and of resultant phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSION: Childhood blindness would be potentially avoidable in 60 % of cases, either by surgery (for cataract [ 6.9 %]) or by preventive measures (corneal opacity/scarring, phthisis bulbi, glaucoma, refractive anomalies [ 53.0 %]).
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