Research Article

Childhood Cataract: Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects at the Bartimée Clinic in Guinea

Authors: Maxime Dantouma SOVOGUI, Christophe ZOUMANIGUI, Mamadou Samba DIOP, Fadima HANN, Aly SYLLA, Jean Pierre DIAGNE, Koffi Didier AYENA.

DOI: 10.33425/2639-9482.1047

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Abstract

Objective: Determine the clinical and therapeutic aspects of childhood cataract.

Methodology: This is a 5-year retrospective study. Included were the records of patients aged 0 to 15 years received for cataracts at the Bartimée Clinic during the study period. Poorly kept records were not included. Epi-info 7.4.0 was used for data analysis.

Results: We had recruited 855 children from 0 to 15 years old, among whom 155 cases of cataracts were diagnosed, i.e. 18.1%. Average age 5.27 years ± 4.35; sex ratio 1.46. 76.8% of them were in school and 87.6% of them came from Conakry. The reason for consultation was leukocoria, i.e. 81.9%. The consultation time ≥ 1 year was 83.2%. Congenital cataracts accounted for 87.7%. Cataracts were total white in 59.3% of cases, idiopathic etiology in 76.6% and unilateral in the majority, i.e. 36.8% in the right eye and 32.9% in the left eye. Phaco emulsification was practiced in 66.8%. General anesthesia was used in 73.7% of cases and operative complications were dominated by corneal edema (48.5%).

Conclusion: Infantile cataracts are often idiopathic and late-onset etiologies, negatively impacting the functional outcome. Its management is delicate and rigorous. Implementing early detection and treatment measures could improve its outcomes.

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