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Bilateral paediatric cataract surgery - outcomes of 298 children from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo


Janvier Kilangalanga Ngoy
Thomas Stahnke
Serge Dinkulu
Emile Makwanga
Astrid Moanda
Georgette Ngweme
Edith Mukwanseke
Günther Kundt
Frank Thiesen
Adrian Hopkins
Rudolf F Guthoff

Abstract

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 bilat- eral cataract surgery with IOL implantation from 2001-2016 in Kinshasa.


Methods: A standardized surgical treatment of paediatric cataract was practiced on 298 children. Patient’s follow-up, com- plications, and visual outcomes were recorded and analysed.


Results: The mean age was 5.7 ± 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.


Keywords: Paediatric cataract surgery; bilateral cataract; outcomes.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905