Purpose : To determine the anatomical site and underlying causes of blindness and severe visual impairment (BL/SVI), in schools for the blind in East Azerbaijan state with determining potentially preventable and treatable causes.

Methods : Between October 2003 and November 2004 a total of 124 students attending three schools for the blind in East Azerbaijan state were examined clinically and data reported using the WHO/PBL childhood blindness assessment form.

Results : Most of the students (91.9%) were blind. The major causes of BL/SVI in our study were: Retinal dystrophy (mainly early onset retinitis pigmentosa) in 34.7% of participents; cataract and aphakia in l4.5%; corneal scar/haze in 15.4% and microphthalmus in 13.7%. The retina was the major anatomical site of visual loss (41.1%) followed by the whole globe (23.4%), lens (14.5%), cornea (15.3%) and optic nerve (5.6%).

Conclusion : A relatively high proportion of childhood blindness in East Azerbaijan state has avoidable causes. Most cases of corneal scars and phthisis can be prevented, and cataract is potentially treatable condition.