Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, June 2013, Volume 33, Issue 2

Neuro-Ophthalmology in Malawi

At the conclusion of the 2001 meeting of the European Neuro-Ophthalmological Society in Tubingen, Germany,William F. Hoyt stated, "Neuro-ophthalmology is like a harp in an orchestra: good to have but not always needed." With this in mind, one might question the need for teaching neuro-ophthalmology in Africa. In an African Eye Hospital, cataract and ocular infection including endophthalmitis are very common and training ophthalmologists to deal with these disorders is essential. PubMed search with the terms "neuro-ophthalmology" and "developing countries" or "Africa" fails to yield any publications. But if comprehensive ophthalmic education is our goal, then training in neuro-ophthalmology must be included. In 2005, the University Eye Hospital of Tubingen created a memorandum of understanding with the Eye Department of the College of Medicine in Blantyre, Malawi. his partnership primarily was founded to educate and train ophthalmologists in Africa.