Augustin Ellong

Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in the Cameroonian nonglaucomatous population

Aim: We performed a prospective, analytical study from 01 January to 31 March 2009 in the Ophthalmology Unit of the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaounde, aiming to determine the profile of central corneal thickness (CCT) in the Cameroonian nonglaucomatous black population and its relationship with intraocular pressure (IOP). Results and discussion: Four hundred and eighty-five patients (970 eyes) meeting our inclusion criteria were selected for this study. The average CCT was 529.29 ± 35.9 μm in the right eye (95% confidence interval [CI]: 526.09–532.49), 528.19 ± 35.9 μm in the left eye (95% CI: 524.99–531.40) and 528.74 ± 35.89 μm in both eyes (95% CI: 526.48–531.00), range 440 to 670 μm. The average IOP was 13.01 ± 2.97 mmHg in both eyes (95% CI: 12.82–13.19). A rise in CCT by 100 μm was followed by an increase in IOP of about 2.8 mmHg (95% CI: 2.3–3.6) for both eyes taken together. Linear regression analysis showed that corneal thickness was negatively correlated with age and IOP was positively related with age. Conclusion: CCT in the Cameroonian nonglaucomatous black population was found to be lower compared with CCT values in Caucasian and Asian populations. On the basis of reference values ranging between 527 and 560 μm, an adjustment of IOP values by a correction factor is required for many Cameroonian patients. This will improve the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma by helping to detect true ocular hypertension.

Les uvéites: aspects épidémiologiques à l’hôpital Laquintinie de Douala

Objectif: Afin de dégager les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des uvéites dans notre contexte camerounais, nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective en milieu hospitalier. Patients et méthode: 38 patients sur 5420 ont consulté pour une uvéite sur une période de 6 ans (0,7%). Cette population comportait 13 femmes et 25 hommes. Leurs âges variaient de 10 ans à 57 ans, pour une moyenne de 33,9 ans. Résultats: 81,6% des uvéites étaient unilatérales et la forme clinique antérieure était la plus fréquente avec 51,1% des cas. Une étiologie a été identifiée ou suspectée chez 24 patients (63,1%), au premier rang desquelles la sinusite (45,8%), suivie par la toxoplasmose (29,2%). L’étude de la fonction visuelle a révélé que le traitement médical était généralement efficace (72,2% d’améliorations), bien que 2 patients (3 yeux) aient perdu la vue. Discussion et conclusion: Malgré sa rareté, cette pathologie nous interpelle donc du fait des difficultés du diagnostic étiologique, mais aussi de son évolution inéluctable, dans certains cas, vers la cécité.

Prevalence and causes of blindness at a tertiary hospital in Douala, Cameroon.

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes of bilateral and unilateral blindness in the town of Douala and its environs based on data from the ophthalmic unit of a tertiary hospital in Douala. Methods We conducted a retrospective epidemiological survey of consultations at the eye unit of the Douala General Hospital over the last 20 years (from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2009). Results Out of the 1927 cases of blindness, 1000 were unilateral, corresponding to a hospital prevalence of 1.84% and 927 cases were bilateral, corresponding to a hospital prevalence of 1.71%. No statistically significant difference was noted between the two (P = 0.14). The leading causes of bilateral blindness were cataract (50.1%), glaucoma (19.7%), and diabetic retinopathy (7.8%) while the leading causes of unilateral blindness were cataract (40.4%), glaucoma (14.1%), and retinal detachment (9.1%). Cataract (51.2%), cortical blindness (16.3%), and congenital glaucoma (10%) were the leading causes of bilateral blindness in children aged less than 10 years. Conclusion Blindness remains a public health problem in the Douala region with a hospital prevalence which is relatively higher than the national estimate given by the National Blindness Control Program.

Eye malformations in Cameroonian children: a clinical survey.

Summary The aim of this work was to describe the clinical aspects of eye malformations observed at the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital. Patients and methods We carried out a retrospective study of all malformations of the eye and its adnexae observed among children aged 0–5 years who were seen at the ophthalmology unit from January 2003 to December 2009. Results Out of the 2254 children who were examined, 150 (6.65%) presented eye malformations. The mean age was 14.40 ± 4 months. Eye malformations were diagnosed in 71.66% of cases during the first year of life. The most frequent malformations were congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (66.66%), congenital cataract (10.9%), congenital glaucoma (10.9%), microphthalmos (5.03%), and congenital ptosis (3.77%). Conclusion Eye malformations among children can lead to visual impairment and are a cause for discomfort to children and parents. Therefore, systematic postnatal screening is recommended to enable early management.

Secondary cataract: an epidemiologic and clinical survey at the Yaounde Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of secondary cataract. Materials and methods: A retrospective study involving a review of medical records in the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon, was carried out. All patients who had cataract surgery between January 2006 and September 2010 were included. Variables included age, sex, past medical history, morphology of primary cataract, type of surgery, intraocular lens implantation, site of implantation, intra- and postoperative complications, and the time lapse for the presentation of secondary cataract. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out. The χ2 test was used to compare proportions, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 864 eyes of 718 patients had cataract surgery. Ninety-two eyes developed posterior capsule opacification, giving an incidence of 10.65%. The mean age of patients who developed secondary cataract was 52.3 ± 23.05 years, with a range of 4 years to 84 years. Secondary cataract was more frequent in the age group of 0–20 years. The time lapse for presentation of secondary cataract was 64.7 ± 9.53 days, with a range of 1 to 504 days. Risk factors for the development of secondary cataract were age (P = 0.000), sex (P = 0.011), cortical cataract (P = 0.000), and postoperative inflammation (P = 0.000). Conclusion: The incidence of secondary cataract, though high in this study, is lower than that reported in other studies.

Cerebral and ocular congenital toxoplasmosis complicated by West syndrome.

We report a case of a child who presented cerebral and ocular congenital toxoplasmosis associated with West syndrome. He was seen and followed-up in the in patients pediatric and ophthalmologic units at the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaoundé in Cameroon between July 2008 and February 2010.