Prevalence and Causes of Blindness Among Eye Patients Seen in a State Tertiary Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Vision is one of the most supreme human senses and plays a significant role in every facet of human life, with deleterious consequences for the individual whenever it is affected. There is a report of a high global burden of blindness and visual impairment. Aim/Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and causes of blindness among patients seen in the eye clinic at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in October 2023. Results: There were 1006 cases, 648 were females (64.4%) and 358 were Males (35.6%). The mean age was 48.6 years, with the majority (57.5%) being between 41-70 Years old. Traders were more in the general study (25.2%). The prevalence of blindness was 6.9%, and Glaucoma was the commonest cause of blindness, accounting for 53.62% of the cases, followed by Cataract at 42.03%. The older age group (41 and above) were more frequently affected by blindness compared to the younger age group. Farmers had the highest number of those affected by blindness. 37.7% of those blind improved after treatment, of which the majority had cataract, while the majority of those who remained blind after treatment had glaucoma. Conclusion: The study showed a significant prevalence of blindness, and the major causes are glaucoma and cataract which are either preventable or reversible. Therefore, there is a need to address these preventable and reversible causes of blindness.