Article Text
Abstract
Aim: To prove that topical antifungal and antibiotic prophylaxis distributed by grass roots village health workers (VHWs) in Burma is an effective public health intervention for the prevention of post-traumatic microbial keratitis in a population where the majority of ulcers are fungal.
Methods: Three villages in Bago District with a combined population of 16 987 were selected for the study. This defined population was followed prospectively for 12 months by 15 VHWs who were trained to identify post-traumatic corneal abrasions with fluorescein dye and a blue torch and to administer 1% chloramphenicol and 1% clotrimazole ointment three times a day for 3 days to the eyes of individuals who fulfilled the eligibility criteria.
Results: During the 12 month period 273 individuals reported to VHWs with an ocular injury and 126 were found to have a corneal abrasion. All 126 were treated with 1% chloramphenicol and 1% clotrimazole ointment three times a day for 3 days, and all healed without sequelae.
Conclusions: Both fungal and bacterial ulcers that occur following traumatic corneal abrasions can be effectively prevented in a village setting by using relatively simple measures that local volunteer public health workers can easily be taught to employ.
- VHWs, village health workers
- corneal blindness
- corneal ulceration
- ulcer prevention
- fungal keratitis
- Burma
- VHWs, village health workers
- corneal blindness
- corneal ulceration
- ulcer prevention
- fungal keratitis
- Burma
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