Abstract
Purpose: :
French military ophthalmologists are deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan, for 4 years. Their activity first focus is traumatic ocular injuries, concerning NATO forces and Afghan National Army soldiers. They also provide humanitary support to Afghan civilians, offering medical and surgical care.
Methods: :
This report is a 4 years retrospective review of data from surgical interventions registry. We also study datas from last 12 months consultations, concerning peoples from 40 different countries.
Results: :
During 4 years, ophthalmologists realised 129 surgical interventions for initial care of ocular casualties (82 open globe injuries, 33 eye and lid lacerations from foreign bodies projections, 14 lid wounds). 24 surgeries were also realised for secondary care of ancient traumatism; and 412 surgeries interesting Afghan population (including 328 cataract surgeries). During last 12 months, 1626 consultations were done: 1209 for Afghan population (with 10% of patients presenting post traumatic ocular pathologies) and 417 for NATO Forces; foreign civilians from embassies, international organisations and contractors.
Conclusions: :
War in Afghanistan is typical of new warfare conditions with a major increase of explosions with multiples projections of metal, stone or glass fragments, responsible of complex open globe injuries with possible intra-ocular foreign bodies. Explosive devices also causes multiple eye and lids lacerations and ocular contusions. Kabul’s NATO French leaded Hospital is now equipped with high level examination and surgical treatment facilities. The French experience in ocular traumatology help to buildt a formation program for Afghan ophthalmologists with guidelines on specifics management of war traumas.
Keywords: trauma • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence