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
Social, Educational and Medical Aspects after Cataract Surgery of Bilaterally Blind Children in Kinshasa—Perception of Parents and Children
The study investigated the influence of bilateral cataract surgery on the social and educational development of previously bilaterally blind children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the prevalence of blindness due to cataract is higher than in high-income countries. The views of both, parents and children, were evaluated with structured interviews based on a newly developed questionnaire related to surgery, follow-up, and family life after surgery. The mean age of the children at interview was 14.4 ± 8.1 years, with 27 females and 26 males. Satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery was reported by 91% of parents. Parents would recommend surgery, because of the children being happy and able to act more independently, with personal, educational and familial factors essentially contributing to the reported satisfaction. The results also showed that 85.0% of children did not wear eyeglasses. Reasons given were mainly cost-related, but also included limited communication between families and health institutions. Providing and maintaining a high-quality and accessible pediatric cataract surgery and healthcare service for follow-up is a major requisite to reduce childhood blindness in SSA. Our study proved the necessity and effectiveness of a community-based rehabilitation program that cares about each individual child, whatever his or her social background