ABSTRACT.Purpose: To establish a standard of normal central corneal thickness (CCT) in normal full-term Saudi newborn. These values could be used as a reference in the early diagnosis and control of the fairly common primary congenital glaucoma in Saudi newborns. Methods: The CCT was measured in 100 normal full-term Saudi newborns (200 eyes) during the first 6 days of the postnatal period. All measurements were carried out by one investigator using ultrasonic pachymeter DGH-1000. Results: The mean CCT of 200 eyes (right and left) was 616 ± 61 lm. The mean CCT of the right and left eyes was similar (CCTRE was 617 ± 62 lm, and mean CCTLE was 616 ± 60 lm), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.417). The mean CCT for males was 631 ± 66 lm and for females 600 ± 50 lm. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The mean CCT decreases significantly by age [day-1: 626 ± 65 lm, day-2: 601 ± 48 lm and day-3: 574 ± 45 lm (p = 0.049)]. No correlations were found between CCT and gestational age, birth weight, birth length and head circumference. Conclusion: The average CCT in full-term Saudi newborns was found to be 616 ± 61 lm. The mean CCT in males was significantly higher than in females. There was no correlation between CCT and gestational age, birth weight, birth length and head circumference. There were borderline significant differences between CCT in 1-day-, 2-day-, and 3-day-old babies.

From December 2005 to June 2007, a total screening of all 1418 government primary schools in Khartoum State, Sudan, was performed to estimate ocular problems among children aged 6-15 years. We screened 671 119 children (56.7% males) for significant refractive error and other eye ailments. Ocular problems were found in 20 321 (3.03%) children. The 3 localities with highest ocular pathology were Karary (26.2%), Ummbada (21.0%) and Jabal Awlia (15.7%). The overall prevalence of refractive error was 2.19%. Myopia was found in 10 064 (1.50%) children while 4661 (0.70%) were hyperopic. Other ocular problems included vernal keratoconjunctivitis, vitamin A deficiency, microbial conjunctivitis, strabismus and corneal opacity. Only 288 (0.04%) children were diagnosed with active trachoma: 86.5% of these were from Ummbada locality, on the periphery of the State, where transportation facilities are poor and poverty is widespread. Overall, 99% of the eye ailments identified are either treatable or preventable. To reduce these and to achieve the goals of Vision 2020, an effective and efficient school health programme is needed.

The present report describes a patient with congenital glaucoma and iris hypoplasia who underwent repeated surgery to control the glaucoma. Despite these procedures, the patient's corneas opacified progressively, and bilateral penetrating keratoplasties were performed. Histopathological studies, including transmission and scanning electro microscopy of the corneal buttons, demonstrated specific changes of Descemet's membrane and the endothelium typical of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED). CHED has usually been considered to be a specific clinical entity that is not combined with congenital glaucoma or other significant abnormalities of the anterior segment of the eye. The present case indicates that these conditions may be combined, which is of importance when dealing with infants with congenital glaucoma and corneal opacities.

Purpose:To evaluate the concept of quality assured mobile eye services (MES) in implementing the vision 2020 initiative.Materials and Methods:Literature review as well as the medical records of Al-Basar International Foundation (BIF) on MES. Emphasis was focused on the causes of blindness, objectives, operation, management and the benefits of MES, a critical appraisal of MES, training for MES and the relationship with other organizations and concerned government agencies.Findings:More than 38 countries have been included in this exercise during which more than 620 eye camps have been conducted. More than two million people have benefited from the services provided including medicines and glasses in these eye camps and about 180,000 sight restoring surgeries performed for cataract, glaucoma etc.Conclusion:Quality assured MES are a very important means of tackling the problems of blindness and implementing the vision 2020 initiative. The adoption of this concept by major stake-holders in the prevention of blindness (e.g. WHO, IAPB) will bring an additional momentum to the achievement of this noble goal.