Seeing the unseen: The low treatment rate of eye emergencies in Africa.

Abstract

Background: Emergency medical care is essential in preventing morbidity and mortality, especially when interventions are time-sensitive and require immediate access to supplies and trained personnel.

Aim: To assess the treatment rates of eye emergencies in Africa. Ocular emergencies are particularly delicate due to the eye's intricate structure and the necessity for its refractive components to remain transparent.

Methods: This review examines the low treatment rates of eye emergencies in Africa, drawing on 96 records extracted from the PubMed database using predetermined search criteria.

Results: The epidemiology of ocular injuries, as detailed in the studies, reveals significant relationships between the incidence and prevalence of eye injuries and factors such as age, gender, and occupation. The causes of eye emergencies range from accidents to gender-based violence and insect or animal attacks. Management approaches reported in the review include both surgical and non-surgical interventions, from medication to evisceration or enucleation of the eye. Preventive measures emphasize eye health education and the use of protective eyewear and facial protection. However, inadequate healthcare infrastructure and personnel, cultural and geographical barriers, and socioeconomic and behavioral factors hinder the effective prevention, service uptake, and management of eye emergencies.

Conclusion: The authors recommend developing eye health policies, enhancing community engagement, improving healthcare personnel training and retention, and increasing funding for eye care programs as solutions to address the low treatment rate of eye emergencies in Africa.