The burden of ocular comorbidity in cataract patients in West Africa

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 93; no. 1; pp. 124 - 125
• Main Authors: Murray, N L, Murray, T N T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.01.2009; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Africa, Western - epidemiology; Cataract - epidemiology; Cataract Extraction; Cataracts; Comorbidity; Corneal Diseases - epidemiology; Eye surgery; Female; Glaucoma; Humans; Macular degeneration; Male; Middle Aged; Refractive Errors - epidemiology; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Africa, Western; West Africa
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2008.149450

Comorbidity Known Known Preoperative Postoperative Total n = 171 n = 175 n = 346 Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Amblyopia 17 (10) 3 (2) 20 (6) Cornea 52 (30) 9 (5) 61 (18) Glaucoma 52 (30) 14 (8) 66 (19) Posterior capsule fibrous plaque 3 (2) 36 (21) 39 (11) Zonular dialysis 32 (19) 2 (1) 34 (10) Uveitis 2 (1) 0 (0) 2 (1) Vitreous haemorrhage 2 (1) 6 (3) 8 (2) Age-related macular degeneration 8 (5) 63 (36) 71 (20) Macula hole 0 (0) 5 (3) 5 (1) Retinal detachment 0 (0) 1 (1) 1 (0) Retinal disease 3 (2) 36 (20) 39 (12) Total no of cases 171 (100) 175 (100) 346 (100) Ninety-seven per cent of patients attended day 14, and 73% final, follow-up. Ocular comorbidity is currently a significant cause of poor visual outcome following cataract surgery in West Africa. [...]nearly one in five of all presenting cataract patients are likely to have "hidden" visually significant comorbidity despite preoperative screening.