Ocular injuries in Malawi

Abstract

A survey was made of 205 patients admitted to hospital for ocular trauma in Malawi in south-east Africa from January 1976 to December 1977. Results of the survey show that eye trauma is a relatively common problem in this developing country, occurring most frequently in children, young adults, and males. Most eye injuries in Malawi occurred under domestic circumstances; the major cause of ocular trauma was associated with chopping and gathering wood. Industrial injuries were rare. The most common injury was contusion and the most frequent complication was traumatic cataract. Most treated eyes retained useful vision.