[Evaluation of the traditionnal Arabic technique of couching in the treatment of cataract in Mali (author's transl)].

Study of 52 cases of empiric treatment of cataract by couching. This technique, still much used in african traditionnal medicine, is first described and then the results are considered (69 globes and 52 patients): -- total or practical blindness: 55 globes: keenness of sight: from 1/10 to 2/10: 2 globes, above 3/10; 12 globes (5 globes out of these 12 have been controlled after a delay above 2 years). -- Hypotonus: 22 globes Normotonus: 26 globes (8 out of these 26 with an excavated papillar atrophy) Hypertonus: 21 globes.