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.

Refractive State and Macular Abnormalities at Oct in Albino at Chu Iota

Introduction: A rare genetic disease, albinism is globally characterized by specific deficits of the visual system associated with a variable hypopigmentation phenotype depending on the disruption of melanin production [1]. It is linked to a hereditary defect in the biosynthesis of melanin. Disease results in a generalized decrease in the pigmentation of the appendages, skin and eyes [2]. The aim of this study is to determine the different refractive errors and the different macular anomalies during the OCT examination in oculocutaneous albinism at the CHU-IOTA. Patients and Method: We conducted a prospective study in patients over 10 years of age with oculocutaneous or ocular albinism who consulted at the CHU-IOTA between July 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Results: Over the period, 105 cases of oculocutaneous albinism were collected out of a total of 42,024 consultations, which corresponds to a frequency of 0.2%. The average age was 26.2 years, (11 years to 48 years). The sex ratio was 1.6. Astigmatism was the most found refractive error in 50.48% of cases, followed by myopia in 29.52% of cases and farsightedness in 20% of cases. The macular thickness between 251 - 350 was the most commonly found in both eyes, i.e. 47.25% on the right and 53.55% on the left. The bulging macula was the most frequent pathology on the OCT at the level of the two eyes, i.e. 41.42% on the right and 50.6% on the left. Conclusion: Following the visual impairments linked to albinism, early optical care and access to OCT are necessary. Thus the accompaniment of a subject with albinism and associations of albinism must be global and meet specific needs, in order to prevent or avoid ocular complications.

Self-Medication during Eye Affections among Consultant Patients at Chu-Iota

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-medication consists in the fact that an individual resorts to a drug, on his own initiative or that of a loved one, with the aim of treating an ailment or a symptom that he identified himself without having recourse to a health professional. Self-medication involves the use of medicinal products by the consumer to treat self-recognized disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a medication prescribed by a physician for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms. The aim of this study is to determine the different characteristics of ophthalmic self-medication at the CHU-IOTA. Patients and Method: We conducted a prospective study in patients of any age who resorted to ophthalmological self-medication before the first consultation or during the ophthalmological care of consulting patients at the CHU-IOTA between January 1 and July 31, 2021. Results: Over the period, 521 cases of ophthalmological self-medication were collected out of a total of 24,512 consultations, which corresponds to a frequency of 2.12%. The average age was 37.7 years, [2 months - 78]. The sex ratio was 0.50. Economic factors were the main factor mentioned, 66.79%. Corticosteroids accounted for 45.26% of the pharmacological class with dexamethasone/neomycin eye drops being the most widely used, i.e. 22.94%. The most common complication was corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension on ametropia, i.e. 15.54%. Our patients were 68.13% educated. Among his educated patients 53.35% had no knowledge of the products. Conclusion: Given the harm associated with this practice, awareness and information campaigns aimed at the population, caregivers and pharmacists or pharmacy vendors are necessary in order to reduce the frequency of the practice of self-medication.

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.

Corneal Blindness Caused by Accidental Ocular Use of Chlorhexidine (Hexz) Gel in Two Newborn Born in the Health District of Kati in Mali

Introduction: Corneal opacities in children are relatively common. In children, it is urgent because of the risk of irreversible amblyopia. The causes of these blindnesses vary considerably according to the regions of the world. Chlorhexidine digluconate is a broad-spectrum antiseptic directed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It has been used as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, both in humans and in animals. However, despite these benefits, it can cause serious damage if applied to the eyes. Incidents of eye damage with 7.1% chlorhexidine have been reported to WHO across Africa. Observation: We report and write two cases of bilateral corneal blindness caused by accidental ocular use of chlorhexidine (HEXZ) GEL 7.1% in two newborns in the health district of Kati in MALI. The ophthalmological examination had revealed corneal opacity, conjunctival hyperaemia and limbic ischemia greater than 50% in 1 eye out of 4, corresponding to stage IV of the ROPPER HALL classification;2 eyes out of 4 were at stage III and 1 eye out of 4 was at stage I of the same classification. Conclusion: It is essential to ensure correct use of chlorhexidine digluconate gel 7%. It is an antiseptic which should not be used on the ocular and auditory mucous membranes, at the risk of most often permanent burns.

Bilateral Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CRSC) in Pregnancy Complicated with Retroplacental Hematoma: About a Case

Introduction: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is associated with serous sensorineural retinal detachment in the macular region. The condition that affects the male gender more than their female counterpart results from focal leakage disturbance of retinal pigment epithelial cells and choroidal abnormalities. The corticosteroid is highlighted as one of the major factors that promote the occurrence of CSCR. Stress and pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, have also been reported by some authors. Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma is a rare event. Observation: We report the case of a pregnant woman at approximately 34 weeks of amenorrhea who presented a sudden and severe drop in visual acuity on a pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma and delivered by cesarean section. The diagnosis was based on clinical arguments associated with photos of the retina made by the MII Ret Cam device (Made In India, Retinoscope Camera) highlighting the lifting of the macular region. Ophthalmological monitoring without medical or physical treatment was instituted. At two months of progression without treatment, bilateral visual acuity was 10/10. Conclusion: Central serous chorioretinopathy and pregnancy is not unusual;however, its bilateral and brutal form in a context of pregnancy complicated by retroplacental hematoma is rare. Despite this favorable evolution, monitoring remains necessary in order to prevent recurrences and complications.