2,600 patients (1,416 females and 1,244 males) were consulted in the lone eye department of the Western Province of the Republic of Cameroon during the one-year period from 1st March 1991 to 29th February 1992. 176 or 7% (68 females and 108 males) were found to be blind in both eyes (bilateral blindness); while a further 202 or 8% (79 females and 123 males) were found to be blind in one eye (unilateral blindness). The main causes of bilateral blindness were: cataract (43.2%), glaucoma (20.4%), uveitis (8.5%), onchocerciasis (8.5%), cortical and visual pathway dysfunction (7.4%), and others (12%). The main causes of unilateral blindness were: trauma (37.6%), cataract (27.7%), glaucoma (10.9%), uveitis (5.9%), amblyopia (3.9%), non-onchocerciasis keratopathy (2.9%), neoplasm (2%), onchocerciasis (1.5%), and others (7.4%). Possible ways on how to combat these various causes of blindness are discussed. There is no ready explanation for the male predisposition to blindness in this series of patients.