Uptake of Surgery for Childhood Cataract in University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Paediatric Ophthamology & Strabismus

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood blindness remains the second leading cause of blind person years worldwide. Childhood cataract is becoming a major cause of childhood blindness in developing countries [1,2]. Globally, approximately 190,000 children are estimated to be blind from childhood cataracts[2]; in Nigeria, 7500 children are blind due to cataract [3]. Although surgical intervention is the definitive treatment modality, the proportion of children with cataracts in developing countries who have had surgery for cataracts is significantly low [4].

Aim of the Study: The aim of this study was to determine the uptake of surgery and the frequency and reasons for rescheduling of surgery among children presenting with cataract to the eye clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Methods: A retrospective study of 164 patients with childhood cataract seen over a 5 year period (2011-2015) in UCH, Ibadan was carried out. Demographic and clinical information was retrieved from the patients’ clinical records. Data was analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.

Results: There were 90(54.9%) males. The median age at presentation was 4yrs with a range of 2-180 months. The median waiting time for surgery was 2months with a range of 1 - 13months. All the patients were scheduled for surgery at presentation, of which 123 patients (75%) underwent surgery. The remaining 41 (25%) children defaulted and were lost to follow-up.In 46 (37.4%) of the children who underwent surgery, the booking for surgery was rescheduled at least once prior to surgery. Reasons for rescheduled surgery included financial constraints, illness, delayed paediatric evaluation and industrial actions in the hospital.