School eye health screening in Kaduna-Northern Nigeria

Background: Five public primary schools referred to as Local Education Authority (L.E.A.) primary schools, were identified for this study. The aim was to find out the pattern of eye disorders affecting primary school children in Kaduna North metropolis and to offer treatment to those with treatable disorders. Method: A total of 2,397 pupils whose classes ranged from primary one to six and aged between five to eighteen years were examined. Results: Of this number, 1,232 (51.57%) were males and 1,161 (48.43%). The commonest causes of eye disorders were allergic conjunctivitis (14.5%), refractive error (1.7%), and infective conjunctivitis (1.4%). Conclusion: School eye screening visits should be at least once a year and should involve screening of all nursery one and primary one pupils. School teachers can be trained to measure visual acuity. Primary eye care workers may be trained and utilised to carrying out school screening in schools, while basic eye health classes can be taught in ante-natal classes to enlighten mothers who are the primary care givers. Early detection of eye conditions in children is an advantage for management. Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(1&2) 2005: 191–19