Adult ocular injuries in Lesotho

Two hundred and fifty-two adults were evaluated in a prospective study in Lesotho to determine the pattern of ocular injuries in a developing African country. The pattern was found to be similar to that of developed countries regarding increased incidence in young males, high frequency of assault injuries, and high incidence of lacerations to lids, cornea and sclera. The pattern differed from developed countries in the low incidence of perforating ocular injuries associated with occupation, motor vehicles and sports, the absence of orbital fractures, metallic intra-ocular foreign bodies, the low incidence of retinal detachment, and the generally poor visual results following perforating ocular injuries. Additional ophthalmic facilities with improved medical transportation is advocated in Lesotho to improve the visual prognosis in ocular injuries.