Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4 Pt 2
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-8-9
pubmed:abstractText
Corneal disease is the second most common cause of blindness in tropical countries after cataract. It mainly strikes children who are exposed to numerous infectious agents against which they are unprotected due to the absence of basic health care. In high risk groups, the incidence of childhood corneal-related blindness is more than 20 times higher than in developed countries. There are many causes of corneal-related blindness. Endemic trachoma persists in some areas and inflammatory forms can lead to blindness. Eradication requires instillation of antibiotics in the eye, improvement of sanitary conditions, and campaigns against promiscuity. Xerophthalmia can induce blindness by perforation of the cornea in children with vitamin A deficiency. Measles, herpes simplex keratitis, and corneal ulcer that progresses to bacterial or fungal infections, or to amebic keratitis are also major causes of corneal-related blindness. The incidence of onchocerciasis is decreasing thanks to treatment with ivermectin and programs to control simulium. Neonatal gonococcal ophthalmia and leprosy-associated ocular disease can also lead to blindness. This overview of the various causes illustrates the close correlation between the level of life and living conditions and the occurrence of corneal-related blindness in tropical areas.
pubmed:language
fre
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0025-682X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
55
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
445-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1995
pubmed:articleTitle
[Corneal blindness in tropical areas].
pubmed:affiliation
Service d'Ophtalmologie, l'Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées du Val de Grâce, Paris, France.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, English Abstract, Review