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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 13, No. 1
Publication Date: February 25, 2025
DOI:10.14738/aivp.131.18155.
Traore, O. Y., Dembele, F., Traore, K., Diarra, M., Kone, A. D., Sidibe, M. K., Sissoko, M., Kouyate, K., Traore, Y. M., Sanogo, S.,
Kamissoko, D., & Tepage, J. A. (2025). Frequency of Ophthalmological Disorders Among Soldiers on Operational Duty at the
Ophthalmology Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 186-190.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Frequency of Ophthalmological Disorders Among Soldiers on
Operational Duty at the Ophthalmology Unit of the Medical
Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Traore, O. Y.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Dembele, F.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Traore, K.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Diarra, M.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Kone, A. D.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Sidibe, M. K.
African Tropical Ophthalmology
University Hospital Center (CHU-IOTA)
and Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Sissoko, M.
African Tropical Ophthalmology
University Hospital Center (CHU-IOTA)
Kouyate, K.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Traore, Y. M.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Sanogo, S.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Kamissoko, D.
Unit of the Medical Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms
Tepage, J. A.
African Tropical Ophthalmology
University Hospital Center (CHU-IOTA)
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Traore, O. Y., Dembele, F., Traore, K., Diarra, M., Kone, A. D., Sidibe, M. K., Sissoko, M., Kouyate, K., Traore, Y. M., Sanogo, S., Kamissoko, D., &
Tepage, J. A. (2025). Frequency of Ophthalmological Disorders Among Soldiers on Operational Duty at the Ophthalmology Unit of the Medical
Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 186-190.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.131.18155
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of ocular
disorders among military personnel on operational duty at the CMCAB
Ophthalmology Unit, in order to ensure their adequate management and an
improvement in their operational capacity. Patients and method: This were a cross- sectional, retrospective study conducted between January 1 and March 31, 2024 at
the Army medical-surgical center in Bamako/Mali. Results: A total of 264 patients
were examined during the study. The distribution of patients by rank was as
follows: noncommissioned officers were the most frequent, accounting for 36.4%
of cases, followed by non-commissioned officers for 34.1%. Visual function
abnormalities were the most frequent. These were mainly ametropia, accounting
for 81.9% of cases. Discussion: Studies on the frequency of ocular disorders in the
military are few and far between, but we can cite that of DIALLO et al. KOKI G and
colleagues found a clear predominance of functional pathologies, particularly
ametropia, with a frequency of 22.17%, 37.4% (56.4% for our study). Conclusion:
The ophthalmological conditions encountered are numerous and multiple in the
military personnel seen at the Army medical-surgical center in Bamako/Mali.
Identifying them in this study will enable us to prevent and manage them, and
reduce their complications.
Keywords: ophthalmological disorders, CMCAB, military environment, Mali.
INTRODUCTION
Ocular affections are disorders or diseases of the eyes that can affect the various anatomical
and histological structures of the eye (eyeball and its appendages). They constitute a health
problem for military personnel, especially during operational engagements [1]. According to
data published by the WHO in November 2004, some 161 million people worldwide suffer from
visual impairment, including 37 million who are blind [2]. Yet 80% of visual impairment is
preventable or curable [3]. The main causes of blindness are cataracts, glaucoma, refractive
errors and military blindness [2]. The situation is most worrying in sub-Saharan Africa, where
1% of the population suffers from visual impairment, 5 times more than in developed countries
[2]. The state of health of military personnel is a constant preoccupation for the success of their
regal mission. Their visual health is of particular importance, as they may suffer visual damage
in operational situations. Complications arising from certain ocular conditions can reduce a
soldier's operational capacity. In general, few studies in the world, and in Mali in particular, are
known about the ocular pathologies they suffer in operational situations. The aim of our study
was to determine the ocular affections of soldiers in operational engagement at the CMCAB
Ophthalmology Unit, in order to ensure their adequate management and an improvement in
their operational capacity.
METHOD
Our retrospective cross-sectional study took place between January 1, 2024 and March 31,
2024 at the Army medical-surgical center in Bamako/Mali. Sampling was non-random and
exhaustive, and the sample size was 264 patients. The study population was all military
personnel seen in the ophthalmology department of the Army medical-surgical center in
Bamako/Mali between January 2024 and March 2024. Military personnel who had received a
complete ophthalmological consultation were included. Data were collected using a survey
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form with pre-tested questionnaires. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS
version 21 software.
RESULTS
A total of 264 patients were examined during the study. Figure 1 shows the distribution of
participants according to rank. Non-commissioned officers were the most frequent, accounting
for 36.4% of cases, followed by non-commissioned officers for 34.1%. Visual function
abnormalities were the most frequent. These were mainly ametropia, accounting for 56.4% of
cases (Table I).
Visual Function Abnormalities
Table I shows the distribution of patients according to grade and visual function abnormalities.
The most frequent visual function abnormalities in non-commissioned men, non- commissioned officers and officers were ametropia, accounting for 81.9%, 61.1% and 55.5% of
cases respectively.
Figure 1: Distribution of patients by rank
Table I: Distribution of patients according to grade and adnexal damage
Damage to appendages Grade
Officers Non-commissioned officers Enlisled men
N % N % N %
Normal 72 92.4 78 89.8 15 15.6
Pterygium 3 3.8 3 3.4 21 21.9
Petrygoid 0 0 3 3.4 3 3.1
Subconjuntival hemorrhage 0 0 0 0 36 37.5
Allergic conjunctivitis 3 3.8 3 3.4 18 18.8
Chalazion 0 0 0 0 3 3.1
Total 78 100 87 100 96 100
In total, two types of appendix damage were identified in officers, three types of appendix
damage were identified in non-commissioned officers and five types of appendix damage were
29.54%
34.09%
36.37%
Ranks
OFFICERS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ENLISLED MEN
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Traore, O. Y., Dembele, F., Traore, K., Diarra, M., Kone, A. D., Sidibe, M. K., Sissoko, M., Kouyate, K., Traore, Y. M., Sanogo, S., Kamissoko, D., &
Tepage, J. A. (2025). Frequency of Ophthalmological Disorders Among Soldiers on Operational Duty at the Ophthalmology Unit of the Medical
Surgical Center of Bamako's Arms. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 13(1). 186-190.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.131.18155
identified in enlisted men. The most common damage to the appendages among enlisted men
was subconjunctival hemorrhage, i.e. 37.5%.
Table II: Distribution of patients according to grades and anterior segment damage
Anterior segment damage
Rank
Officers Non-commissioned officers Enlisled men
N % N % N %
Normal 60 77 72 70.7 42 48.3
Cataract 12 15.4 18 17.7 0 0
Contusion 0 0 3 2.9 42 48.3
Corneal ulcer 3 3.8 3 2.9 3 3.4
Pseudophakia 0 0 3 2.9 0 0
Globe wound 3 3.8 3 2.9 0 0
Total 78 100 102 100 87 100
Cataracts were the most frequent anterior segment injury in NCOs and officers, accounting for
17.7% and 15.4% of cases respectively. Contusion of the globe was most frequent in non- commissioned officers (48.3%).
Table III: Distribution of patients according to grade and posterior segment damage
Segment damage
Posterior
Rank
Officers Non-commissioned officers Enlisled men
N % N % N %
Normal 53 66.2 51 57 66 68.7
Glaucoma 12 15 36 40 18 18.8
Hypertensive Retinopathy 12 15 3 3.3 12 12.5
Maculopathy 3 3.8 0 0 0 0
Total 80 100 90 100 96 100
The most common form of posterior segment damage was primary open-angle glaucoma. It
was more frequent in non-commissioned officers, accounting for 40% of cases.
Table IV: Breakdown of patients by grade and type of war-related injury
War-related injuries
Rank
Officers Non-commissioned officers Enlisled men
N % N % N %
Normal 70 100 84 93.3 84 87.5
War wounds 0 0 6 6.7 12 12.5
Total 70 100 90 100 96 100
The frequency of war casualties was 6.81% of cases.
DISCUSSION
The main aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of ophthalmological disorders
among military personnel on operational duty at the CMCAB ophthalmology unit, using a
retrospective cross-sectional study. In our study, the high frequency of non-commissioned
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officers is explained by their greater numbers. Visual function abnormalities were dominated
by ametropia. Ametropia was the most common ocular condition found in our study. Ametropia
was more frequent in men, accounting for 56.43% of cases. Diallo et al (1) found a lower
frequency of 22.17%. Koki G et al (2) found a frequency of 37.4% of cases. The ocular lesions
found in our study have been noted in the literature (1,2, 3, 4). In our study, pterygium occurred
in 10.22% of cases and cataract in 11.36%. Zlatar P and Stambuk V (5) found a higher frequency
of pterygium in Africa, between 30-50% of cases. The frequency of degenerative pathologies
such as pterygium and cataracts increases in a sunny environment (6). In our context, military
personnel are continually exposed to sunlight. In our study, the incidence of glaucoma was 25%.
In our study, the incidence of war casualties was 6.81%.
CONCLUSION
Ocular diseases are numerous and multifaceted among military personnel at the Army medical- surgical center in Bamako/Mali. Their identification in this study will ensure their prevention,
management and the reduction of their complications. In this way, they will contribute to
improving the army's operational capacity. In view of these results, we recommend that future
researchers and decision-makers periodically screen for potentially disabling and blinding eye
conditions.
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