Abstract
Background: Loss of vision influences the educational opportunities, employment, and social life of children. We sought to determine the change in educational opportunities among Tanzanian school age children with congenital/developmental cataract following surgery. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of children age 6–16 years who had congenital/developmental cataract surgery at KCMC Hospital. A consecutive list of children was obtained, and preoperative and postoperative clinical data (including visual acuity) was abstracted from files. Parents of identified children were interviewed using a pre-tested, standardized questionnaire, and findings were assessed to determine level of improvement in educational environment. Results: Seventy-two children and their parents were enrolled. There were significant improvements in vision of children; however, there was a four-fold increase in the number of children now attending schools for the blind. Fourteen of the nineteen children in schools for the blind had a vision of 6/60 or better. Demographic characteristics of the children or families did not predict placement. Conclusion: There appears to be considerable inappropriate educational placement of children following cataract surgery. Additional research is needed to better understand the decisions behind educational placement.