One hundred and ten children were evaluated in a prospective study in Lesotho to determine the pattern of pediatric ocular injuries in a developing African country. The pattern was found to be the same as that of developed countries regarding increased incidence in boys, frequency of accidental, self-inflicted and assault injuries, and high incidence of corneal lacerations, traumatic cataracts, hyphemas, and lid lacerations. The pattern differed from developed countries in the absence of injuries due to arrows, airgun pellets (BBs), fireworks, toys and chemical burns, the absence of orbital fractures, intra-ocular metallic foreign bodies, and rarity of retinal detachment, and the generally poor visual results following perforating ocular injuries. An information campaign is advocated in Lesotho to aid in the prevention of pediatric ocular injuries.

Two hundred and fifty-two adults were evaluated in a prospective study in Lesotho to determine the pattern of ocular injuries in a developing African country. The pattern was found to be similar to that of developed countries regarding increased incidence in young males, high frequency of assault injuries, and high incidence of lacerations to lids, cornea and sclera. The pattern differed from developed countries in the low incidence of perforating ocular injuries associated with occupation, motor vehicles and sports, the absence of orbital fractures, metallic intra-ocular foreign bodies, the low incidence of retinal detachment, and the generally poor visual results following perforating ocular injuries. Additional ophthalmic facilities with improved medical transportation is advocated in Lesotho to improve the visual prognosis in ocular injuries.

Diabetic retinopathy was found in 47.8% of 153 consecutive diabetic clinic patients examined in Maseru, Lesotho. Background retinopathy was present in 78% of patients with retinopathy, compared with 22% with proliferative changes. While no difference in prevalence of diabetic retinopathy could be demonstrated between the sexes, an association between diabetic retinopathy and hypertension and peripheral neuropathy was observed. The prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy was significantly related to the duration of disease. The pitfalls inherent in comparing the results of the current study with other published reports are considered. Better epidemiological surveys are required to determine the true prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among different racial, ethnic, religious, and tribal groups in Africa.

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