Microbial keratitis in Southern Malawi: a microbiological pilot study.

Objective: Microbial keratitis (MK) is a significant cause of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the feasibility of using a novel corneal impression membrane (CIM) for obtaining and processing samples by culture, PCR and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in patients presenting with suspected MK in Malawi.

Methods And Analysis: Samples were collected from patients presenting with suspected MK using a 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene CIM disc.

Profile of primary childhood glaucoma at a child eye health tertiary facility in Malawi.

Background: To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of primary childhood glaucoma at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi.

Methods: A retrospective case notes review was undertaken of all medical records of patients aged less than 16 years with a diagnosis of primary glaucoma according to the Childhood Glaucoma Research Network Classification (CGRN) who presented from January 2016 to December 2018. The parameters extracted from the case files included age at presentation, sex, type of glaucoma, presenting complaints, laterality of ocular involvement, examination findings and the treatment modality instituted.

Prevalence and clinical spectrum of hypertensive retinopathy among hypertension clinic patients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi.

Background: Prevalence and spectrum of hypertensive retinopathy in the population reflects the status of hypertension control and the associated risks for cardiovascular events. We investigated the prevalence and clinical spectrum of hypertensive retinopathy among patients attending hypertension clinic at a tertiary hospital in Malawi.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of systematically selected patients attending hypertension clinic at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

Incremental cost-effectiveness of screening and laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema in Malawi.

Objective: To investigate the economic impact of introducing targeted screening and laser photocoagulation treatment for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and macular edema in a setting with no previous screening or laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Materials And Methods: A cohort Markov model was built to compare combined targeted screening and laser treatment for patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and macular edema against no intervention. Primary outcomes were incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted.