Cataract blindness in a Nigerian tertiary hospital- A one year review

Abstract

Blindness negatively affects quality of life and leads to increased mortality. Available community based 
studies showed that three quarters of the causes of blindness majorly by cataract, is avoidable. This study 
was conducted so as to have hospital based data on cataract as a cause of blindness in University of Port 
Harcourt Teaching Hospital, (UPTH), Nigeria. The case records of all blind patients (visual acuity of less than 
3/60 or corresponding visual field of less than 100 in the better eye with the best possible correction) 
presenting at the out patient clinic for year 2008 were reviewed. Of 214 patients, Cataract was responsible for 
about one third (n=82.38.3%). The age 40-60 years had the highest proportion of bilaterally cataract blind 
patients (40%). More males were bilaterally cataract blind (n=12.60%). Most bilaterally cataract blind patients 
lived in the rural areas (n=12.60%). The uptake of surgery was poorer among bilaterally cataract blind patients 
with only 30% (n=6) presenting for surgery. Cataract is a leading cause of blindness in the UPTH, Nigeria and 
is commoner in the older age group especially among males. The rural dwellers present late especially when 
bilaterally blind from cataract. Subsidizing the costs may improve the uptake of cataract surgery in our center.