Factors Influencing Age at Detection and Age at Presentation of Childhood Cataract in Ibadan

Paediatric Ophthamology & Strabismus

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood cataract is a major cause of blindness/impaired vision worldwide; with the burden of the disease more in the developing world[1]. Cataract is described as the most important cause of treatable childhood blindness[2]. Effective outcome of treatment therefore depends on timely removal of cataract and appropriate optical rehabilitation[1]. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the age at detection and age at presentation of patients with childhood cataract in University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Methods: A retrospective review of children who presented to UCH eye clinic with cataract between 2011 and 2015. Case notes were reviewed and data on age at detection and presentation as well as other clinical information was collected and analyzed using STATA 12 statistical software. Early presentation was defined as presentation within 3 months of detection for congenital cataracts and 6 months for developmental cataracts.