Causes of blindness in the western province of Cameroon.

Abstract

2,600 patients (1,416 females and 1,244 males) were consulted in the lone eye department of the Western Province of the Republic of Cameroon during the one-year period from 1st March 1991 to 29th February 1992. 176 or 7% (68 females and 108 males) were found to be blind in both eyes (bilateral blindness); while a further 202 or 8% (79 females and 123 males) were found to be blind in one eye (unilateral blindness). The main causes of bilateral blindness were: cataract (43.2%), glaucoma (20.4%), uveitis (8.5%), onchocerciasis (8.5%), cortical and visual pathway dysfunction (7.4%), and others (12%). The main causes of unilateral blindness were: trauma (37.6%), cataract (27.7%), glaucoma (10.9%), uveitis (5.9%), amblyopia (3.9%), non-onchocerciasis keratopathy (2.9%), neoplasm (2%), onchocerciasis (1.5%), and others (7.4%). Possible ways on how to combat these various causes of blindness are discussed. There is no ready explanation for the male predisposition to blindness in this series of patients.