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Comparative Study
. 1997 Jun;81(6):443-7.
doi: 10.1136/bjo.81.6.443.

Blindness and visual impairment in a region endemic for onchocerciasis in the Central African Republic

E C Schwartz  1 , R Huss, A Hopkins, B Dadjim, P Madjitoloum, C Hénault, V Klauss
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Blindness and visual impairment in a region endemic for onchocerciasis in the Central African Republic

E C Schwartz et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 1997 Jun.

Abstract

Aims: A population based survey of blindness and visual impairment was conducted in the district of Bossangoa, Central African Republic.

Methods: A total of 48 communities were randomly selected, and 6086 people examined.

Results: The prevalence of blindness (visual acuity in the better eye less than 3/60) was 2.2%, and visual impairment 3.0% (6/24 to 3/60 in the better eye). The major causes of blindness were onchocerciasis (73.1%), cataract (16.4%), trachoma (4.5%), and glaucoma (2.2%).

Conclusion: Around 95.5% of all blindness could potentially have been prevented or treated. Ivermectin mass distribution is hoped to prevent 50% of all forms of visual loss in the future.

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