From 1981 to 1986, various epidemiologic surveys were conducted in 4 regions of Togo, a West african country with an area of 56,000 km2, and 3,000,000 inhabitants. 11,081 people were examined of whom 52.67% were females. Ninth diseases classification established in 1977 was used as a basis for the analysis. Bilateral blindness had a mean prevalence of 0.82% for the country as a whole. Non infectious causes were predominant, equaling 69.78%. The most common non infectious aetiology was found to be cataract occurring in 44.21% and representing 22,000 cases of blindness of whom 5,700 to 7,300 could be operated now. Glaucoma represents 6% in the blindness prevalence. These surveys enable the establishment of public eye care in this country.