Visual Damage Following Direct Sighting of Solar Eclipse in Ghana

A study was carried out at the department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital/School of Medical Sciences; at Kumasi Ghana from March 29th to May 29th 2006 to study visual acuity changes in patients suspected of solar eclipse retinopathy after they viewed an eclipse of the sun on 29th March 2006. In all; seven patients with eye complaints were seen. Examination included assessment of Visual Acuity (VA); Slit Lamp examination; Fundoscopy; Amsle Test; Intra-ocular pressure evaluation and Goldman's Tonometre Test. Six patients had normal visual acuity while only one had VA of 6/24 in both eyes; which was corrected. All patients had normal colour vision and normal Amlser grid. None of them had any evidence of Maculopathy. 3 patients had superficial punctuate Keratitis. The absence of solar burns of the macular observed in the region is indicative of the effectiveness of mass public education concerning the damaging effects of the solar eclipse. Advanced techniques; such as scanning laser Ophthalmoscopy and the multifocal electroretinography (ERG) offer the possibility of detailed examination of small retina lesions in Ghana after an eclipse of the sun

Use of Artemisinin (Qinghaosu) Derivatives in Treatment of Malaria

Derivatives of the Chinese herbal remedy ginghaosu (artemisinin) are useful in the treatment of multiple-drug resistant malaria. This review covers the discovery; development; clinical pharmacology and toxicology of these compounds; with emphasis on those derivatives currently in use in parts of Africa

The Causes and Prevalence of Pre-School Deafness in Ghana

A study to determine the causes of deafness was done in Kumasi in central Ghana. A total of 128 deaf children aged between 1-5 years referred to the Ear; Nose and Throat clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) were seen from January 1992 to June 1993. The procedure adopted included exploration and assessment of individual medical history; otoscopy; pre-audiometric and audiometric evaluation. It turns out that 66(51.5) had congenital sensorineural hearing loss (CSHL); while the remaining 62(48.5) had acquired sensorineural hearing loss (ASHL). Of the 66 congenital cases; 44 was due to unknown factors; while the rest were due to post-natal convulsion; measles; meningitis; mumps; fever and jaundice. Results of free-field tests were available in 116 children. Of these; 90 cases had a profound SHL while 38 had a severe-profound SHL. Again; of the 90 children with profound SHL; 56 was due to congenital factors; while the remaining 34 originated from acquired causes. Thus; the cases listed under CSHL showed a distinctly higher incidence of profound deafness. Primary prevention measures against diseases that cause deafness would be the most logical and practical way of helping to reduce the incidence of deafness in Ghana