Eye Disease in the Eskimo and in the Australian Aboriginal: A Brief Comparison

Two groups of persons living under very different conditions of environment and culture were studied from the point of view of their eye diseases. The Eskimos of the north of the American Continent are contrasted in this context with the Australian Aboriginals. The first group, culturally adapted to extreme cold and largely isolated until recently, shows a high incidence of phlyctenulosis and the results of trauma. Strabismus, narrow angle glaucoma and senile cataract were found inter alia. Trachoma, leprosy and nutritional eye disease were absent. The Australian Aboriginals live in a dry tropical climate. They are highly subject to trachoma, leprosy, and some cataract. Glaucoma, convergent strabismus and nutritional eye disease were absent. In both groups the diet is high in animal protein. Both groups are no longer isolated and the disease pattern is changing.