Epidemiological And Clinical Profiles Of Childhood Cataract Seen At The Yaounde Central Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of childhood cataract seen at the Yaounde Central Hospital. Patients and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was car- ried out over a 7-year period (January 2013 to December 2019). Institutional ethical committee waived the need for individual parental consent based on the retrospective nature of the study. Data col lected from records were made anonymous and confidentiality was respected. Medical records of children aged 0 to 15 years, diag nosed of cataract were included. Variables studied include age, sex, presenting complaint, signs, laterality, cataract morphology, ocular abnormalities, associated systemic disease, presumed aetiology, acceptance of surgery and primary implantation. Results: During the study period, 56 children with cataracts were seen, amongst whom, 28 girls and 28 boys. Acquired cataract represented 37.5% of case. They were all unilateral and 90.5% were post-traumatic. Congenital cataract represented 62.5% of cases. They were bilateral in 67.7% of cases and were diagnosed at a mean age of 6.3 ± 3.9 years. Congenital cataract was an isolated finding in 94% of cases. Seven cases underwent surgery (5 bilateral congen ital and 2 unilateral post-traumatic). The median age at the time of surgery was 4 years. Conclusion: Late presentation is common, and the rate of sur - gery-uptake is low. We recommend the putting in place of measures to train personnel for both delivery room and routine baby check screening. The creation of subsidized reference ophthalmic centres with trained personnel and equipment could also help reduce cost and increase surgery uptake.