Causes of blindness among adult Jordanians: A hospital-based study

PURPOSE. To assess the causes of blindness among adults aged 20 years and over who attended two big general ophthalmic clinics in Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS. This hospital-based study was undertaken at Jordan University Hospital in Amman (the capital of Jordan) and Princess Basma Teaching Hospital which is affiliated with Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, the third largest city in the country. A total of 2732 patients seen consecutively over 26 months were examined and the ophthalmic findings were recorded. Using standard Snellen charts, subjects were placed in one of three categories according to their best corrected visual acuity: (1) unilateral blindness: less than 6160 in the worst eye, 6160 or more in the better eye; (2) moderate bilateral blindness: less than 6160 in the worst eye, less than 6160 to 3160 or more the better eye; and (3) severe bilateral blindness: less than 3160 in both eyes. RESULTS. Of the total patients seen, 373 were blind according to the selection criteria. Among 248 patients with unilateral blindness, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and trauma were the leading causes. Among the 81 patients with moderate bilateral blindness, diabetic retinopathy and cataract were the leading causes. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma were the leading causes in patients with severe bilateral blindness. CONCLUSIONS. These data could be used in planning blindness prevention and treatment programs while awaiting a national survey on the prevalence and causes of blindness in Jordan.