AIM: To determine the pattern of eye diseases in children at Abakaliki, Nigeria.METHODS: The medical records of children aged 15 years or less who attended the eye clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki over a 15mo period were reviewed.RESULTS: A total of 241 children were seen over the study period. There were 112 males (46.5%) and 129 females (53.5%). Allergic conjunctivitis 91 (37.8%), refractive error 37 (15.4%), infective conjunctivitis 30(12.4%) and trauma 27 (11.2%) were the major ocular morbidity encountered.CONCLUSION: Allergic conjunctivitis and refractive errors have been noted as the commonest ocular disorders in children. Pre-school ocular examination is being advocated for earlier diagnosis and treatment, coupled with prevention of their sequelae.

● AIM: To compare the intraocular pressure distribution in onchocerciasis hyperendemic communities with the intraocular pressure distribution in a hypoendemic community.● METHODS: Subjects were selected from 2 hyperendemic communities through multistage cluster random sampling. The anterior and posterior segments were examined. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with Schiotz tonometer. Control subjects were drawn from a hypoendemic community and were assessed similarly.● RESULTS: There were 360 subjects examined from the hyperendemic community. The mean IOP was 18.1mmHg for the right eye and 18.0mmHg for the left eye. A total of 100 randomized non-glaucoma patients drawn from an eye clinic in a hypoendemic community constituted the control. The mean IOP was 21.8 mmHg for the right eye and 21.5mmHg for the left eye. The mean IOP in the hyperendemic community was 3.5mmHg lower than that in the hypoendemic community.● CONCLUSION: Onchocerciasis probably induces a low grade inflammation in the ciliary body, which leads to a lowering of IOP in the early stages.