A community based cross-sectional study on the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment was carried out between August and December 1985 in the Luapula Valley. The study population consisted of 2503 villagers aged 6 years and above. Visual acuity was done on every participant whereas slit-lamp examination and ophthalmoscopy were done on selected individuals when indicated. The overall prevalence of monocular and bilateral blindness was 6.9% and 3.6% respectively. Cataracts and corneal opacities were the most common causes of visual loss in those aged 50 years and above. We conclude that blindness is an important public health problem in this valley and that this data provides a background that can be used to evaluate blindness prevention programmes that will be implemented in the future.