Eye diseases and the causes of blindness in the southwestern Equator (equatorial forest) in Zaire, data from an eye camp in three rural centers.

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequencies of eye diseases and causes of blindness in this rural area.

METHOD: During a one month period (February 1996), a study was carried out in three rural centers (Mbandaka, Iboko, Lukolela) in the South Western Equator, in the tropical equatorial forest area. A total of 700 patients were examined and ophthalmological examination included visual acuity, inspection of adnexa, refraction, slit-lamp examination, direct funduscopy and intraocular pressures.

RESULTS

Cataract and glaucoma were the major ocular diseases found. Among the patients 1/5 was legally blind, and common causes of blindness were: cataract (54%), glaucoma (30%), uveitis (6%), corneal disorder (5%), retinitis pigmentosa (3%), atrophy of eye (3%).

CONCLUSION

Cataract and glaucoma constituted a public health problem in this rural area of Zaïre.