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Abstract #23016 Published in IGR 11-1
Congenital eye and adnexial disorders in tertiary health institutions in Abakaliki, Nigeria
Onyekonwu CG; Onyekonwu CLInternational Journal of Ophthalmology 2009; 9: 14-16
AIM: To ascertain the types and frequencies of congenital eye and adnexial disorders seen at two tertiary health facilities in Abakaliki, Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective review of the case records of new patients with congenital eye disorders who were a year old or less and presented to the eye clinics of both tertiary institutions between May 2001 and April 2008 was done. Collected data were analysed for age and sex of the patients, types, frequencies, ocular and systemic associations of the disorders using simple statistical methods. RESULTS: There were a total of 199 children with ocular pathologies recorded within the study period. Of these, 50 (25.1%) children had congenital disorders. There were 27 (54%) males and 23 (46%) females. Thirty two (64%) children were less than 6 months of age. The commonest disorders were nasolacrimal duct obstruction 10 (20%), congenital ptosis 7(14%), dermoid cyst 5(10%), buphthalmos 4 (8%) and congenital cataract 3 (6%). All these may cause avoidable childhood blindness. The least common pathologies included albinism 1 (2%), anophthalmos 1 (2%), retinoblastoma 2 (4%) and optic atrophy 2 (4%). These may cause irreversible blindness and poor vision. CONCLUSION: Although congenital eye disorders are not common, they are potential causes of childhood blindness and low vision. Early childhood screening is advocated to enable early detection and prompt intervention.
Dr. C.G. Onyekonwu, Department of Ophthalmology, Ebsuth, Abakaliki 08036777775, Nigeria. drchijioke@yahoo.com
Classification:
9.1.1 Congenital glaucoma, Buphthalmos (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.1 Developmental glaucomas)
1.1 Epidemiology (Part of: 1 General aspects)