Infantile blindness: Causes and role of inheritance
Nuha Fath Elrahman
Al-Neelain University, Sudan
: Int J Ophthalmic Pathol
Abstract
The study is considered to be the first study in Sudan concerned with children who were born blind. It was aimed to find out the main causes of born blindness, and the role of inheritance through their families. The study was done in Khartoum State- Sudan. Any subject who was registered as blind since birth, his visual acuity 3/60 or less and agreed to participate in this study was included. Permission was taken from the leader of the centers of blinds. Verbal consent was obtained before examinations. Personal demographic data, history, visual acuity test and refraction, ocular examinations were taken. A questionnaire was used to assess parent's relationship and history of blindness. A total number of 211 subjects were screened, 120 subjects (56.87%) were suitable. 75.83% males and 24.17% females. Their mean age was 23.15±8.1 years. The causes of born blindness were congenital cataract (28.33%), corneal abnormalities (28.33%), optic nerve defects (27.5%) and retinal abnormalities (5.83). Structural abnormalities (3.33%) and 6.68% of the subjects were without ocular anatomical defects. 75% of the subjects showed positive family history of blindness, 93.33% of the subject's parents were related (71.66% of the parents were of 1st degree cousins, 10% are 2nd degree and 11.67% far relationship). 75% of childhood blindness was inherited (51.66% autosomal recessive, 9.17% autosomal dominant, 14.17% X-linked, 25% isolated cases).
Biography
Nuha Fath Elrahman obtained PhD in Optometry and Visual Science in 2009. She started the Department of Medical and Ophthalmic Photography and is the Head of the Department of Medical and Ophthalmic Photography at Al-Neelain University, Sudan. She is a Member of Al-Neelain University Senate and General and Academic Secretary of Sudanese Union of Optometrists. She is a Member of the Medical and Health Professional Council and AOA, and attended many international conferences.
