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Related Experiment Videos

Corneal blindness: a global perspective.

J P Whitcher1, M Srinivasan, M P Upadhyay

  • 1Proctor World Blindness Center, Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California at San Francisco, Box 0944, 95 Kirkham Street, San Francisco, CA 94143-0944, USA. nepal@itsa.ucsf.edu

Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|April 5, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Corneal diseases are a leading cause of global blindness, surpassed only by cataracts. Prevention programs are crucial for reducing the impact of these conditions, as treatment is challenging.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Corneal diseases represent a significant global health issue, ranking as the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, after cataracts.
  • The epidemiology of corneal blindness is complex, involving diverse infectious and inflammatory conditions that result in corneal scarring and functional vision loss.
  • Prevalence of corneal disease varies geographically and demographically, with specific conditions like trachoma, ocular trauma, and ulceration contributing substantially to visual impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the global burden of corneal blindness and its diverse etiologies.
  • To emphasize the importance of public health prevention strategies in managing corneal diseases.
  • To underscore the challenges in treating established corneal blindness.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data on causes of blindness globally.
  • Analysis of the contribution of various corneal diseases to visual impairment.
  • Assessment of the cost-effectiveness of prevention versus treatment for corneal blindness.

Main Results:

  • Trachoma is a major cause of corneal blindness, affecting millions, primarily through scarring and vascularization.
  • Ocular trauma and corneal ulceration contribute significantly to monocular blindness, with potentially millions of new cases annually.
  • Childhood blindness is associated with xerophthalmia, ophthalmia neonatorum, and other ocular diseases; onchocerciasis and leprosy also remain significant causes of blindness.

Conclusions:

  • Corneal diseases, including those caused by infections and trauma, are a critical cause of preventable blindness globally.
  • Traditional eye medicines pose a risk factor for corneal ulceration in developing nations.
  • Public health prevention programs are the most effective and cost-efficient approach to mitigate the global burden of corneal blindness due to treatment difficulties.