Annual report on the ophthalmic section.

  • Egypt. Maṣlaḥat al-Ṣiḥḥah al-ʻUmūmīyah. Ophthalmic Section.
Date:
[1937]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the ophthalmic section. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/60 (page 2)
    CLINICAL WORK The following table shows the clinical work done in the year 1937 as compared with that of 1936. 1936 1937 Increase in 1937 New patients. 1133599 1213781 i % In-patients . 35246 38042 8 % Operations . 344661 351136 2 % Out patients attendance 7741226 7891461 2$ ' BLINDNESS The number of patients who were found to be blind in one or both eyes, excluding cataract cases causing blindness, was 68613 or 5.5 of all patients examined at the Ophthalmic Hospitals. By adding the cataract cases causing blindness, the percentage becomes 5.8 •/«. The pathological causes of blindness are detailed in table no. XI where it is shown that acute ophthalmias form 80 ®/0 of all causes. The gonococcus is still the predominant factor of infection with acute ophthalmias-its percentage to total of microbes being 40 %. AGE OF PATIENTS Out of 1213781 new patients treated, 78598 or 6.4 % were under the age of one year 348702 or 28.7 $ from one to 15 years of age- 333054 or 27.4 % from 15 to 30 years of age; and 681756 or 56.1 % from one to 30 years of age. This fact shows that the mass of people recognises the importance of seeking ophthalmic treatment for infants, children and youths. SCHOOL CLINICS Ophthalmic examination, inspection and treatment are, at present, carried out in 38 Primary Government Schools. Details of ophthalmic work in schools are given in a special section at the end of this report. 12075 pupils were examined, of whom 99 % were found to be suffering from trachoma in its various stages. About 41$ of these were in the serious stages of the disease (trachoma I & II). As a result of ophthalmic treament the latter percentage fell to 19 %. In this connection it is to be noted that in Government schools, the most correct percentage, of the prevalence of trachoma among school pupils, can be obtained. This is due to the fact that the examination and treatment are carried out in such schools regularly and permanently on pupils who are under the supervision of treating doctors. pupils of 64 other primary schools and Kuttabs belonging to the Provincial Councils in Markazes (Districts) where permanent or travelling ophthalmic hospitals exist received ophthalmic treatment at hospitals. 7948 pupils were examined. Minor Operations were operated upon to 1748 pupils, while 31 Major operations were operated to others and 127 spectacles were prescribed.