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. 1986;64(5):619–623.

Childhood blindness from corneal ulceration in Africa: causes, prevention, and treatment*

Allen Foster, Alfred Sommer
PMCID: PMC2490963  PMID: 3492298

Abstract

Corneal scarring is responsible for approximately 70% of blindness in children in African countries. Recent studies confirm that measles infection is a common predisposing factor and that vitamin A deficiency is responsible for the majority of bilateral corneal ulceration. Herpes simplex keratitis (caused by human (alpha) herpesvirus types 1 and 2), ophthalmia neonatorum, and the use of traditional eye medicines also constitute significant causes of corneal ulceration in children in Africa. Intervention strategies, the management of corneal ulceration in children, and areas for future investigation are discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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