The prevalence and distribution of xerophthalmia in pre-school age children of the luapula Valley, Zambia

Summary: Four thousand two hundred and seventy-five children aged less than 6 years were examined for signs of xerophthalmia in a population based cross-sectional study in the Luapula Valley of Zambia. The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 1.89 per cent. The prevalence of nightblindness (XN), Bitot's spots (X1B), severe corneal lesions (X3A, X3B), and corneal scars (XS) were 1.26, 0.44, 0.02, and 0.68 per cent, respectively. One child was totally blind and four children had unilateral blindness. Comparison is made with data from other parts of Africa. It is concluded that xerophthalmia is a public health problem in this valley and a major cause of blindness in childhood. © 1988 Oxford University Press.