Utilisation of ophthalmic services by foreign nationals in Johor: a review of 452 patients

ABSTRACT

Between 1st January 1999 and 31st December 2000, 452 foreign nationals were treated at the Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru. Eighty-five percent were male. The peak age range was from 21 to 30 years old. The patients were predominantly Indonesians (61%). A history of trauma was present in 63% of patients. Eight percent of eyes had severe visual impairment. Six patients (1.3%) were blind by WHO standards. Traumatic eye conditions, inflammatory/allergic eye conditions and degenerative eye conditions comprised 66%, 13% and 10% respectively of ocular pathology seen. The commonest ocular findings were corneal foreign body, corneal abrasion and subconjunctival haemorrhage.