Bilateral Enucleation for Ritual Purposes - A Case Report

In Nigeria, irrespective of religious affiliation and literacy level, majority of individuals' beliefs are centered on superstitions. There is a strong conviction, even though not evidence based that magical portions prepared with human parts can enhance ones political, financial fortunes, protection against business failures, sickness and diseases, accidents and spiritual attacks. Thus ritual killing is perceived as act of spiritual fortification. The management of this case was in the eye unit of a tertiary Health Centre of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, We present a 67-year male farmer, who lost both eyes sequel to attack from unknown persons (ritualists) who used sharp objects (knives/daggers) to forcefully remove his eyes in a village called Jato-Aka in Benue State, Nigeria. He was hospitalized in a Mission Hospital for four days from where he was referred to this unit; he presented to the unit nine days post-injury. He had orbital exploration done the next day which revealed remnant of sclera tissue and blood clots, right full thickness upper lids lacerations and left avulsed upper lid laceration. The lids were repaired using 6/0 silk under local anesthesia after evacuating the clots and removing of the sclera remnants . He had several sessions of psychological work - up was discharged on the 7th post-operation day and relocated to Old People's Home pending his onward referral for visual rehabilitation. There is an urgent need for an international campaign to end this horrifying, murderous and stone-age practice in this twenty-first century. Much public health education is needed to save these victims from untold miseries.Keywords – Blindness, Ritual killing, Spiritual guidance, International campaig

Pediatric Ocular Manifestations of HIV/AIDS in Makurdi Benue State, A Hyperendemic State in Nigeria

Benue State, Nigeria, currently has the highest seroprevalence nationwide. Data available from developed countries and the few available ones from the developing countries have all indicated that the pattern and prevalence of HIV-related ocular morbidity in the paediatric population is quite different from those that occur in the adult population.This study is aimed at ascertaining the pattern of ocular affectations of HIV-infected paediatric age group. A retrospective study of all the children aged 1-16 years, diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS who presented to the eye unit or were seen by Invitation for Consultation in other units of the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi between June 2002 to May 2006. A register was open in the Eye Department of Federal Medical Centre between June 2002 to May 2007. Extracted from this register were the bio-data of the patients, Ocular presentation, corrected Visual acuity and Ocular diagnosis of all Seropositive HIV/AIDS children reviewed. Of all the358 seropositive children, only 121 ( 33.8% ) had ocular affectations. . There were 206 (57.5%) males 152 (42.5%) females. The most common anterior segment lesions were conjunctival microangiopathy, non-purulent conjunctivitis, recurrent chalazion and external hordeolum. The most prevalent posterior segment ocular lesions were peri-vasculitis, toxoplasmal retinochoroiditis retinal haemorhages, and macular edema. In conclusion, posterior segment and neuro-ophthalmic complications of the HIV/AIDS were the major causes of ocular morbidity and visual impairment. Ocular assessment is of paramount importance for early detection and management of vision threatening complication of HIV/AIDS in children.Key words: HIV, AIDS, Paediatric, Hyper-endemic State, Benue State