[Control of blindness in developing countries].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Hogeweg.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ophthalmological examination of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (n = 44) taken randomly from a rheumatological practice revealed that in this population group the eyes were frequently but not seriously involved (n = 42). Primary SS patients (n = 44) could not be separated from patients suspected of primary SS, in whom the diagnosis had been excluded (n = 21) on the basis of ocular examination, but they were clearly distinguishable from healthy controls (n = 26). The diagnostic value of the tests currently in use to establish the diagnosis keratoconjunctivitis sicca in primary SS such as Schirmer's, tear film break up time and rose bengal staining tests appeared to be limited. These results demonstrate the heterogeneity of the syndrome, the influence of patient selection on patient characteristics in different primary SS populations and the limited value of using the present classification criteria for the diagnosis primary SS in individual patients.
Of 235 aphakic patients followed for 1-10 years in Karnali, Nepal, 23% were wearing aphakic spectacles in good condition, 25% had lost or broken their spectacles, 31% were wearing scratched or repaired spectacles, 5% never received spectacles and 16% were dissatisfied, of which 84% still had good phakic vision in the fellow eye. Of 303 aphakic eyes, 89% had a visual acuity of 6/60 or better with +10 spherical correction and 7.3% (22 eyes) were blind (V/A less than 3/60); of which the major causes were pre-existing posterior segment disease unrelated to the cataract operation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
This article provides a survey of the problems of prevention of blindness in developing countries. The World Health Organization estimates that 31 million people are blind and 15 million people partially-sighted. The main cause of blindness is cataract. Other causes are trachoma, glaucoma, xerophthalmia, river blindness, corneal scars and leprosy. Prevention or treatment of these causes is possible in more than 80% of cases. The number of blind persons, however, is still increasing due to the increase in population and the immense shortage of all kinds of ophthalmological equipment and personnel. An effective strategy for the prevention of blindness in developing countries should focus on: more cheap cataract operations, increasing teaching facilities for ophthalmic personnel, integration of ophthalmic care into the general health system and the promotion of blindness prevention in political organizations.
Charts of 1226 paucibacillary leprosy patients, registered between 1982 and 1987 were reviewed for recent facial nerve damage, facial patches and the presence of Type I reaction. Twenty-six (2.1%) patients with recent lagophthalmos were identified. In a great majority (85%) patients with recent lagophthalmos showed significant patches over the malar region or around the eye, at the same side as the nerve damage together with clinical signs of Type I reaction. This combination of significant patches in certain locations and Type I reaction seems to be a pre-condition for facial nerve damage. The clinical implication is that a small group of patients may be identified, who are at risk of facial nerve damage. By examining these patients more carefully it will be possible to detect nerve damage early and to prevent permanent damage of the facial nerve by timely treatment with an appropriate steroid regimen.
Twenty-seven patients with borderline leprosy and facial nerve damage of less than or equal to 6 months duration (36 eyes) were treated with a semistandardized regimen of steroids (the average starting dose was 25-30 mg, duration 5-6 months) on an outpatient basis. Red and raised reactive patches were usually present in the upper malar area or around the eye(s) in patients with recent lagophthalmos. The lid gap was measured in millimetres during gentle and strong closure. After completion of the steroid course 75% of the eyes had complete closure or only a slight gap of less than or equal to 2 mm on gentle closure. Steroids were found to be beneficial and safe, in the dosage that we prescribed.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Forty-eight leprosy patients in The Netherlands were re-examined 10 years after initial examination. Forty-six of these patients had received a course of multidrug therapy (MDT), according to the World Health Organization recommendation, at the time of their initial examination. Two patients had burned-out disease and had been merely under observation. Out of 40 patients, who initially did not show eye complications due to leprosy, 37 patients were essentially the same 10 years later. The eyes had changed in 3 multibacillary patients: 1 patient had developed a late type 1 reaction with facial nerve involvement and lagophthalmos; 2 patients had undergone intra-ocular surgery for cataract and acute glaucoma, respectively. Out of 8 patients with pre-existing eye involvement, 1 patient recovered and the lesions in 2 patients remained unaltered. One patient showed progression of pre-existing exposure keratitis. Four patients had undergone cataract extractions; all four patients were lepromatous, with a long history of disease and signs of iris involvement at the first examination. The main progressive lesions were cataracts in lepromatous patients.
The short-term results and complications of 130 lens extractions with implantation (generally a Pearce tripod lens) are described. In 89% of the cases a post-operative visual acuity of at least 0.5 was obtained.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.