Causes of blindness in students attending schools for the blind in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine causes of visual loss in blind school students in Saudi Arabia. All students enrolled in 17 schools for the blind were interviewed and had complete ophthalmic examination between 8 February and 30 May 1998. Medical files were accessed to obtain previously documented findings. Enrollment numbered 913, 68% males and 32% females. Causes of visual loss: retinal dystrophies [40%], congenital glaucoma [15%], optic nerve disease [12%], congenital cataract, corneal diseases, and others [each 11%]. Congenital [63%] and hereditary [25%] causes were more common than acquired [12%], p = 0.05. Consanguinity was 43% in congenital and 55% in hereditary versus 34% in acquired cases [p<0.0005]. Blindness occurred in 65% of students' relatives. Conclusions: Visual loss was caused predominantly by congenital disorders and retinal dystrophies were the most frequently encountered. Consanguinity is an issue that should be addressed

Severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] -Implications for a National health strategy

This article describes the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS] outbreak that started in February 2003 and affected more than 30 countries, infecting over 8,000 people worldwide, of which 900 died. In July 2003, the last chain of human transmission was broken in Taiwan; however, a list of unanswered questions and the expectation of a future recurrence remain. Therefore the World Health Organization is continuing its search for an effective treatment, vaccine and specific diagnostic test for the disease. At the same time, health officials worldwide are trying to restore and fortify their healthcare systems' infrastructures to handle any future SARS outbreak. Developing a comprehensive national health strategy to combat such emergencies [appears] is a current priority. The article summarizes available information on SARS: case definition, epidemiology and control and prevention measures. It further highlights the importance of developing a national health strategy for contending with public health emergencies like SARS