Recently a trial of isoniazid in the prophylaxis of tuberculosis (the "Bethel prophylaxis study") was initiated in southwestern Alaska. The trial also provided an opportunity to conduct a study of corneal opacities (the "corneal scarring study") and to determine the effects of isoniazid in preventing PKC among the Eskimos participating in the trial. This report concerns the epidemiologic findings of the corneal scarring study and the relationship of PKC to tuberculosis. A subsequent report will discuss the effectiveness of isoniazid on the occurrence and course of PKC. The evidence accumulated suggests that most of the widely prevalent PKC in Alaska is etiologically related to tuberculosis, and that tuberculosis control measures should be effective in the prevention of PKC and corneal scarring.
Notes
From: Fortuine, Robert et al. 1993. The Health of the Inuit of North America: A Bibliography from the Earliest Times through 1990. University of Alaska Anchorage. Citation number 2509.
Cited in: Fortuine, Robert. 1968. The Health of the Eskimos: a bibliography 1857-1967. Dartmouth College Libraries. Citation number 1073.