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Trends in Ophthalmology
Open Access Journal
Research Article
Pattern of Congenital Ocular Anomalies among Children
Seen at a West African Tertiary Eye Care Centre
Kareem Olatunbosun Musa
1
*, Sefinat Abiola Agboola
2
, Olapeju Ajoke Sam-Oyerinde
2
, Salimot Tolani Salako
2
,
Chinwendu Nwanyieze Kuku
2
, Chinyei Joan Uzoma
2
1
Department of Ophthalmology (Guinness Eye Centre), Lagos University Teaching Hospital/ College of Medicine of the University of Lagos
2
Department of Ophthalmology (Guinness Eye Centre), Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos
*Corresponding author: Department of Ophthalmology (Guinness Eye Centre), Lagos University Teaching Hospital/ College of
Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos
Received: December 21, 2019 Published: January 10, 2020
Abstract
Purpose: To describe the pattern of presentation of congenital ocular anomalies among children seen at Department of
Ophthalmology (Guinness Eye Centre), Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of children below the age of 16 years who were diagnosed of any type of congenital
ocular anomaly at the Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) between January, 2012 and
December, 2018 was done. Information concerning age at presentation, gender, affected eye(s), visual acuity and type of congenital
anomaly were retrieved from the case files.
Results: Seven hundred and forty-five eyes of 470 patients with congenital anomalies which constituted 13.6% of all the new
pediatric ophthalmic consultations were studied. Two hundred and seventy-five (58.5%) children had bilateral ocular involvement
while 262 (55.7%) presented within the first year of life. The median age was 0.92 years with an interquartile range of 2.67 years.
There were 255 (54.5%) males with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Congenital cataract was the most common congenital ocular
anomaly documented in 224 (30.1%) eyes of 133 patients. This was followed by congenital squint (131 eyes, 17.6%), congenital
glaucoma (91 eyes, 12.2%) and corneal opacity (52 eyes, 7.0%). Overall, cataract, squint, glaucoma, corneal opacity, nasolacrimal
duct obstruction and ptosis accounted for 79.0% of the congenital ocular anomalies documented in this study.
Conclusion: Congenital ocular anomalies accounted for 13.6% of Paediatric ophthalmic consultations in this study. Congenital
cataract, squint, glaucoma, corneal opacity, nasolacrimal duct obstruction and ptosis were the most common congenital ocular
anomalies observed.
Keywords: Congenital Ocular Anomalies; Children; West African; Tertiary Eye Care
ISSN: 2644-1209
DOI: 10.32474/TOOAJ.2020.02.000144
Introduction
Congenital anomalies are structural or functional anomalies
that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally,
at birth, or sometimes may only be detected later in infancy [1].
Congenital ocular anomalies contribute significantly to childhood
visual impairment and blindness [2,3]. Some of these anomalies
have only cosmetic significance while others cause no symptoms
and may be an incidental finding [3]. They may occur in isolation,
in combination, or as part of a systemic malformation syndrome
[4]. The aetiology of congenital ocular anomalies may be genetic,
environmental or more commonly, idiopathic [4]. Globally, the
pattern of congenital ocular anomalies varies from region to
region. Congenital cataract and glaucoma had been reported to be
the most common anomalies in developing countries [2-8] while
anophthalmos, microphthalmos and coloboma are predominant
in developed nations [9]. Severe visual loss arising from some of
these ocular anomalies in early childhood could adversely affect
their development, mobility, education, social life and employment
opportunities [2]. In addition, accompanying parents and/or care
givers lose valuable time and resources seeking interventions
for these children. It is therefore imperative that they are better
characterized in order to aid appropriate intervention strategy
and resource allocation. Therefore, this study sought to describe