Table 4

Avoidable causes of SVI/BL in 65 children with SVI/BL attending the school for the blind and derived from the SEC

CausesNPer cent
Avoidable2640.0
Preventable57.7
 Corneal scar from VAD23.1
 Congenital rubella11.5
 Trauma11.5
 Harmful traditional practices11.5
Treatable2132.3
 Cataract1015.4
 ROP812.3
 Glaucoma/buphthalmos34.6
Unavoidable3960.0
  • BL, blindness; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; SEC, Suriname Eye Centre; SVI, severe visual impairment; VAD, vitamin A deficiency.