Blindness and Low Vision in Nigeria: A Review of Etiological Factors And Impact

Blindness and low vision have profound effects on the quality of life of persons affected as it reduces productivity and economic well-being of blind persons and their families. A review of literature of Blindness and low vision in Nigeria is done with emphasis on etiology and impact. Mismanagement of ocular manifestation of childhood measles and congenital anomalies accounted for 50.00% and 25.00% respectively of visual impairment among the inmates of the rehabilitation school for the blind in Afara- Umuahia, Abia State. In the Nigerian National blindness and visual impairment survey, cataract and trachoma (41.20% and 35.30% respectively) were leading causes of blindness and low vision. Cataract is a major cause of blindness in Africa. In the rest of the world, the numbers of visually impaired have increased due to uncorrected refractive error estimated to be responsible for about 42.00% of visual impairment and 3.00% of blindness. The fastest growing cause of blindness worldwide is glaucoma and retinal diseases. The causes were largely preventable. There is on-going research on advanced aids to assist the visually challenged. The burden and impact of blindness and low vision on quality of life of persons affected, the Nation and economy is enormous and undetermined. Mismanagement of ocular manifestation of childhood measles, congenital anomalies (in the young) and cataract were the most common causes of blindness and low vision in Nigeria followed by ocular trauma and corneal scarring. In order to promote visual health in the country, there is the need for Health education as to the importance of childhood immunization against measles and the routine immunization of adolescent girls against rubella. Cataract surgery and provision of low vision aids and devices for blind and low vision persons as rehabilitation are also recommended.Keywords: blindness, low vision, visual impairment, rehabilitation, visionJOURNAL OF HEALTH AND VISUAL SCIENCES (2013) VOL. 15 (1): 10 - 1

Anisometropia: Prevalence, Demographic Associations, Pattern and Physiologic Determinants in a Nigerian Community

Anisometropia is the difference in the magnitude of ametropia between the two eyes. This anomaly causes unpleasant ocular symptoms; can alter binocularity; and impair vision. Under-corrected anisometropia and lack of optical considerations in correction is a common cause of spectacle intolerance. This was to determine the prevalence, demographic association pattern and physiologic determinants in Imo State, Nigeria in order to provide a base line data for comparison between countries. Results show that twenty-one percent and 9.4% of study and control groups respectively had anisometropia mostly in the 60-69 age group in both males and females of the population Eighteen percent and 4.3% of study and control groups respectively had presenting vision < 6/18 in the right eye while 15.2% and 5.0% of study and control groups respectively had presenting vision at 6m <6/18 in the left eye. The magnitude of anisometropia less than2.0D(<2.0D)was 89.6% and 96.2% of study and control groups respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Hyperopic anisometropia was more common. The ametropia was higher in the right eye in majority of subjects in the study group and in the left eye for the control group. A higher prevalence was noted among the rural dwellers and the contributory factors were environmental influences, poor nutrition and irrational use of quines as first-line drugs for malaria. Anisometropia is common. The difference in magnitude of anisometropia between the groups was statistically significant. There is need for optical considerations in correction of anisometropia to reduce the burden from spectacle intolerance. To achieve the targets of VISION 2020 we recommend periodic vision screening& appropriate intervention; and visual health education on safe environmental practices especially for people living in low-income resource economies like ours. Keywords: Anisometropia, Ametropia, Visual impairment, Spectacle intoleranceJOURNAL OF HEALTH AND VISUAL SCIENCES (2013) VOL. 15 (1): 16 - 2

Hyperopia: Prevalence, Demographic Associations, Pattern and Physiologic Determinants in Imo State, Nigeria

In order to determine the prevalence, demographic associations, pattern and physiologic determinants of hyperopia in the adult population of Imo State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional analytical study was undertaken, results showed that hyperopia was the commonest refractive error (35.2%) in which 60% of females in the study were hyperopic. Females aged 40-49 years were in the majority. A high prevalence of hyperopia was noted among the rural dwellers. Hyperopia of +0.50DS to +1.00DS p-value=0.000 were statistically significant between study and control groups (56.7% and 85.0% of study and control groups respectively). Hyperopic astigmatism was present but simple hyperopia was in the majority, 98.7% and 99.3% of study and control groups respectively. Contributory factors were environmental influences, poor nutrition and irrational use of quines as first line drug for malaria. Hyperopia was the dominant refractive error in this study. Majority of the hyperopes were domiciled in a rural area. The physiologic determinants of hyperopia, were age, gender, nutrition and drug use. To achieve the targets of Vision 2020 we recommend periodic visual examination and visual health education.Keywords: Hyperopia, ametropia, visual impairment, Nigeria, Imo StateJOURNAL OF HEALTH AND VISUAL SCIENCES (2013) VOL. 15 (1): 1-

The Virtual Library: Visions And Realities

The paper first saw education as the basis for the establishment of virtual library. As it is widely acclaimed that the library is the heart of education enterprise. It went further to discuss extensively, various views of different individuals on the concept of virtual library with regard to its importance in raising the quality and availability as well as standards of higher education in Nigeria. Attention was drawn to dominant issues which require careful consideration, including modalities for designing, implementation and evaluation of the project. Other issues discussed in this paper are the advantage and challenges for sustaining the virtual library project. The paper finally made recommendations and concluded that the integration of the new technology into our libraries should be pursued with vigour. The Information Technologist Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 121-12