Ophthalmic disease in Western Samoa.

Since the last report on eye disease in Western Samoa in 1959 by Dr. Elliott, the population has increased from 97,000 to 158,000. The country now has a full-time ophthalmologist but could benefit from a larger eye care service. The distribution of disease is very similar to that found in 1959, with pterygium, cataract and injuries comprising the most frequent eye problems. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is much more common than open-angle glaucoma and is associated with a plateau iris configuration.