Survey of childhood blindness and visual impairment in Botswana.

摘要

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In terms of blind-person years, the worldwide burden of childhood blindness is second only to cataracts. In many developing countries, 30-72% of childhood blindness is avoidable. The authors conducted this study to determine the causes of childhood blindness and visual impairment (VI) in Botswana, a middle-income country with limited access to ophthalmic care. METHODS: This study was conducted over 4 weeks in eight cities and villages in Botswana. Children were recruited through a radio advertisement and local outreach programmes. Those