Abstract
BACKGROUND: This survey was undertaken in a rural local government area (LGA) where eye care services recently commenced, with no known previous data on blindness or visual impairment. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim was to generate evidence for further planning and monitoring of the on-going eye care program. The objectives included determination of the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment, causes of blindness and visual impairment, and assessment of cataract services and barriers to cataract surgery uptake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study. A population-based rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) was undertaken among eligible individuals, aged 50 years and above, who were residents of Saki East LGA. A three-stage cluster sampling technique with probability proportional to size was employed to recruit 1100 respondents. Field data were analysed using the RAAB 5 computer software package. RESULTS: The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness was 1.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.1-3.3). Cataract was the commonest cause of blindness (37.8%) and severe visual impairment (56.3%), whereas refractive error was the leading cause of moderate visual impairment (68.3%). The prevalence of blindness significantly increased with age (χ(2)= 38.01, P = 0.000). Avoidable conditions were responsible for 94.6% of the blindness. CONCLUSION: The burden of blindness and visual impairment in the survey area is significant, with more than 90% due to avoidable causes. Cataract, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive error were important causes needing urgent attention.