Mortality on an ophthalmic ward.

This study was performed to investigate the causes and prevalence of death on an ophthalmic ward. Over a ten-year period, thirteen deaths occurred among 3545 admitted patients (0.4%) mortality rate). Ten deaths occurred in patients with advanced neoplasms or complications of severe orbital infection. Three deaths were sudden. They occurred in the post-operative period among apparently healthy patients admitted for surgery. The possible causes of such sudden deaths are discussed.