Causes of childhood blindness in Sri Lanka: results from children attending six schools for the blind.

AIM The survey aimed to identify the major treatable or preventable causes of visual loss in children attending blind schools in Sri Lanka so that appropriate control measures can be implemented. METHOD A total of 226 children with blindness (BL) or severe visual impairment (SVI) attending six schools for the blind were examined and details recorded using the WHO standard reporting form. RESULTS Cataract was responsible for 17% of BL/SVI and was the commonest 'avoidable' cause of childhood blindness. Bilateral microphthalmos accounted for one quarter of BL/SVI. Vitamin A deficiency was not a significant cause of visual morbidity. CONCLUSION The pattern of childhood blindness seen in this study is typical of a growing number of south east Asian countries which are developing rapidly. Childhood cataract is a major avoidable cause that can benefit from future intervention strategies.