Low Vision in children and educational services in developing country

This study was undertaken to determine the causes of low vision in children in the Pacelli School for Blind in Lagos State, Nigeria, using the new definition of low vision. The educational services available were also assessed using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Twenty-six children aged 10-15 years were identified as having lowvision and they were examined to determine the causes.The anatomical sites leading to low vision in the children are retina (30.8%), lens (23.1%), glaucoma (19.2%), cornea (11.5%) and optic nerve (7.7%). Retinal dystrophy was the most common cause of low vision, while congenital cataract and glaucoma were the major avoidable causes. Very few cases of corneal scar were seen. Fifteen of them had significant improvement in distance and near vision after refraction while one third had improvement in their reading with low power magnifying lenses. All except 4teachers were well educated but none seem to have much knowledge about the teaching of low vision children as all these children are taught Braille like blind peers. The educational facilities available were those needed for only blind children and no low visual aids.