4 research outputs found
Bilateral paediatric cataract surgery - outcomes of 298 children from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Introduction: The leading cause of childhood blindness globally is
paediatric cataract. Bilateral cataract surgery can help to improve
visual performance and to diminish the burden of childhood blindness.
Objective: To report in a retrospective observational cohort study the
long-term outcomes of 298 children who had bilateral cataract surgery
with IOL implantation from 2001-2016 in Kinshasa. Methods: A
standardized surgical treatment of paediatric cataract was practiced on
298 children. Patient\u2019s follow-up, complications, and visual
outcomes were recorded and analysed. Results: The mean age was 5.7
\ub1 4.3 years and males were predominant (64.9%). Most of children
were living mainly in urban poorest areas (96.3%). Strabismus,
nystagmus and microcornea were encountered in 20.1%, 25.1% and 8.7% of
children, respectively. Using WHO criteria most of patients were
classified as blind preoperatively and 81.9% of them had improved
visual outcomes after surgery. Main reasons for reduced vision during
follow-up were secondary cataract (5.7%), IOL decentration (1.2%),
retinal detachment (1.2%), and secondary glaucoma (1.5%). Conclusion:
In spite of the post conflict challenges, elimination of cataract
blindness in children remains a priority. Children present at a late
age for surgery and long term follow-up is poor. There is need for
program strengthening in these areas