Prevalence of Refractive Errors among School Children Aged 5 to 15 Years Old at CHU-IOTA

Introduction: Undetected refractive errors constitute a health problem among school children who cannot take advantage of educational opportunities. The authors studied the prevalence of refractive errors in school children aged 5 to 15 at CHU-IOTA. Patients and Method: This is a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the ophthalmic-pediatrics department of CHU-IOTA, from October to November 2023. Results: We received 340 school children aged 5 to 15, among whom 111 presented ametropia, i.e. a prevalence of 32.65%. The average age was 11.42 ± 2.75 years and a sex ratio of 0.59. The average visual acuity was 4/10 (range 1/10 and 10/10). We found refractive defects: astigmatism 73.87%, hyperopia 23.87% of cases and myopia 2.25%. The decline in distance visual acuity was the most common functional sign. Ocular abnormalities associated with ametropia were dominated by allergic conjunctivitis (26.13%) and papillary excavation (6.31%) in astigmatics;allergic conjunctivitis (9.01%) and papillary excavation (7.20%) in hyperopic patients;turbid vitreous (0.90%), myopic choroidosis (0.45%) and allergic conjunctivitis (0.45%) in myopes. Conclusion: Refractive errors constitute a reality and a major public health problem among school children.

Prevalence of Ocular Trauma at the Reference Health Center (CSREF) of Kati

Introduction: The authors wanted to study the prevalence of ocular trauma in the ophthalmology unit of the CSREF of Kati. Patients and method: This is a retrospective study, covering the period from January to December 2015, carried out in the ophthalmology unit of the CSREF in Kati. Results: The sample consisted of 568 patients, or 6.82% of ophthalmological consultations. Children aged 0 to 14 years accounted for 154 (27.11%) of the trauma cases. Bruises constitute the main circumstance (58.1%) of eye trauma, followed by domestic accidents (15.6%). Closed globe ocular trauma was the main type of trauma (61.6%), followed by ocular adnexal trauma (30.1%) and open globe trauma (8.3%) in which the penetrating wound was the lesion, the least common (2.6%) but the most serious. Medical treatment was the most used therapeutic modality in 82.4% of cases, followed by surgery with 17.6% of cases. The evolution of the lesions after treatment was favorable in 85.6% of cases and unfavorable in 14.4% of cases. Complications were observed in 5.8% of cases and sequelae in 8.6% of cases. Conclusion: Ocular trauma constitutes an important reason for ophthalmological consultation at the CSREF of Kati. The severity of some of these lesions requires frequent recourse to surgery. The complexity of the treatment should encourage us to favor preventive measures.

Morning Glory Syndrome in Two (02) Malians: Case Report from IOTA-University Hospital

Background: First described by Handmann in 1929, the “Morning Glory Syndrome” is a rare congenital anomaly of the optic papilla whose notable ophthalmoscopic sign is papillary excavation associated with other ocular and/or non-ocular anomalies. Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to report 2 cases of this rare congenital papilla anomaly in 2 young Malian adults diagnosed in the IOTA-University Hospital respectively in January and May 2020. Materials and methods: In our study, we have included two cases of male gender. Results: In the 1st case the defect concerned both papillae. It is also associated with other ocular malformations (bilateral macular reshaping and unilateral cataract), without associated cerebral defects. In the 2nd case, only one papilla was affected by the malformation and there was an absence of associated malformations of other ocular and cerebral structures. Discussion: The Morning Glory Syndrome is part of the group of congenital defects of the optic nerve. It is often referred to as ectasia coloboma of the optical papilla or bindweed flower-like optical papilla because of its similarity to the tropical flower known as “bindweed”. Its exact pathogenesis remains unknown, but it is linked to the poor development of the posterior sclera and lamina cribrosa during gestation. Conclusion: Morning Glory Syndrome through papillary excavation and other associated ocular and/or cerebral malformations may be a threat to vision.

External Dacryocystorhinostomy: 4 Years’ Experience from CHU-IOTA in Mali

Aim: To analyze the clinical characteristics and the surgical outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical record of 62 patients who underwent external DCR for NLDO between November 2015 and November 2019 at CHU-IOTA in Mali. The preoperative clinical findings and the postoperative outcomes after a minimum follow up of 3 months were analyzed. Results: epiphora, discharges and canthal swelling were main symptoms of the 62 patients (68% women, 32% men), with the mean age of 47 years (10 - 76). Among them, 36 had chronic dacryocystitis, 12 had a traumatic NLDO and 8 followed a septal deviation. The majority (77%) were operated on under local anesthesia with sedation. Bicanalicular intubation was performed in 29% of patients. After postoperative follow up of at least 3 months, only 8 patients had persistent watering, thus a subjective functional success of 87%. Conclusion: In the nasolacrimal duct obstruction, most often secondary to chronic dacryocystitis, external dacryocystorhinostomy remains a technique of choice with very good success.