An epidemiological study of ocular trauma in rural community in Myanmar

The epidemiological study of ocular trauma in rural setting of Chauk, Meiktila and Bago area was carried out by the ophthalmologists and a team of TC & PBL named as "Model Village eye Health survey". the prevalence was 248 cases (1.57 case per 1000). The rate of 0.5 case per 1000 in under 14 years increased to 2.4 per 1000 in 45 to 59 age group. The older age groups were exposed to trauma almost 5 times more than the younger group. The prevalence of ocular trauma was about the same in both sexes 1.8 and 1.4 per 1000 in male and female respetively. 213 persons (85.9 per cent) sustained the injuries in agricultural environment and only 35 (14.2 per cent) were injured by other sources. The number of blunt injury was 93 (37.5 per cent) and injuries by agricultural equipments contributed to 87 cases (35.1 per cent). It was followed by 57 foreign body cases (23 per cent) and others about 4.4 per cent. Cornea was the commonest anatomical site sustaining 64 per cent of injury followed by 12.4 per cent in conjunctiva, 10.8 per cent in the eye ball and 2.8 per cent in the lens. this study illuminates the fact that the strategies to prevent blindness through ocular trauma are to render extensive eye health education down to the communities at the village level and to recruit, train and equip primary eye care workers aat least one for each village to deliver primary eye care services and referral throughout the country.

Prevalence of disabling and potentially disabling lesion of trachoma in Burma

Disabling and potentially and disabling lesions such as F3 C1 F2/C3, Tri chiasis, Pannus, Corneal opacities and total lesions due to trachoma in 1244 persons in Meiktila and Magwe is analysed according to age and sex prevalence. 17.7

of Meiktila and 7.0

of Magwe population suffered from such severe lesions as F3 C1 F2 C2/C3. Trichiasis is contracted by 7.2

from Meiktila ans 2.7

of Magwe district population. Pannus of more than 5mm is seen in 0.6

of Meiktila and 0.2

of Magwe population. Central Corneal opacity was found in 7.5

and 1.6

of the population in Meiktila and Magwe respectively.

Socio-economic factors in trachoma

A total of 21,039 persons in the Meiktila, Magwe, Myingyan and Yamethin Districts were examined to determine the prevalence and epidemiology of trachoma in the Dry Zone of Burma. Taungtha Township in the Myingyan District has the highest trachoma density (89.18 per cent) while Yamethin Township has the lowest trachoma density (7.76 per cent). In the high income group, 34.4 per cent were free from trachoma whereas only 23.5 per cent were free in the low income group. Occupationwise, the incidence of trachoma was low among students, mental workers and farmers and high among fishermen, labourers and home industry people. 0.55 per cent of the p9opulation examined were suffering from economic blindness due to trachoma. Religion was found to play no pat in determining the course and complication of trachoma. A comprehensive study of the epidemiology of trachoma is yet to be done.

A short note on the management of viper snake bite on the basic of measurement of coagulation time

(1) Measurement of coagulation time is vital in the management of snake bite, due to Russel viper. He who performs knows where he stands as regards the severity, the prognosis and the progress of his treatment. (2) Economy on the medicine, venom in particular and hospital space can be exercised if one knows the amount of anti-venom to be spent and when to stop it. This undoubtedly reduces the risk of hypersensitivity and with the same amount of medicine, a greater number of people can be protected with ASSURANCE.

Radiotherapy treatment of breast canaer

(1) A group of 130 patients treated for cancer of breast in the Rangoon General Hospital was studied. (2) Over all survival rate was so poor that it cannot be compared with untreated result.