Tracing children with blindness and visual impairment using the key informant survey in a district of north-western Nigeria

Purpose: To identify children with irreversible blindness in a district of northern Nigeria for enrolment into an inclusive education pilot project. Materials and Methods: Using key informants (KIs) working and residing within the communities, children with blindness and visual impairment in Gwadabawa local government area (LGA) were identified and then examined by a team of ophthalmologists/optometrists. Data analysis was performed manually using simple percentages and proportions. Results: Sixty children were reported with visual problems by parents/guardians of whom 58 (97%) were examined. Twenty children (35%) were blind, 17 (29%) were irreversibly blind, and 9 (16%) had low vision (<6/18 to 3/60) with presenting vision. The major causes of childhood blindness were corneal opacity/phthisis bulbi (75%), and cataract (15%). The cause of irreversible blindness in these children was largely preventable (80%) as it was due to childhood-related illnesses, such as vitamin A deficiency and measles. Conclusions: The major causes of childhood blindness in the study area were avoidable and the use of KI survey in this study provided an opportunity for service delivery.