Incidence and causes of blindness among the under 5 age group in Malawi

The expected incidence of blindness among children under 5 years of age in Malawi is 34 cases per 100 000 children. Direct ocular infections were responsible for the blindness in 32% of the cases (bacterial infections 20% and measles 12%). The instillation of traditional medicine in these cases wors...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of ophthalmology 1977-02, Vol.61 (2), p.154-157
Main Authors: Benezra, D, Chirambo, M C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacterial Infections - complications
Blindness - congenital
Blindness - epidemiology
Blindness - etiology
Cataract - congenital
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Malawi
Male
Measles - complications
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Summary:The expected incidence of blindness among children under 5 years of age in Malawi is 34 cases per 100 000 children. Direct ocular infections were responsible for the blindness in 32% of the cases (bacterial infections 20% and measles 12%). The instillation of traditional medicine in these cases worsened the ocular condition and induced in all of the cases a "hopeless" situation of total melting of the cornea and protrusion of the uvea. Congenital factors (excluding retinoblastomas) were responsible for 30-8% of the blind cases. Among these, 11 cases of congenital cataracts were successfully treated and will not appear as blind in future. A high incidence (9-3%) of cortical blindness was recorded. Trauma was implicated in 5-3%, while retinoblastoma was found in 8%. It is believed that adequate preventive measures should be able to lower the incidence of blindness among this age group to 5 cases instead of 34 per 100 000 children.
ISSN:0007-1161
1468-2079
DOI:10.1136/bjo.61.2.154