Aim:We performed a prospective, analytical study from 01 January to 31 March 2009 in the Ophthalmology Unit of the Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital of Yaounde, aiming to determine the profile of central corneal thickness (CCT) in the Cameroonian nonglaucomatous black population and its relationship with intraocular pressure (IOP).Results and discussion:Four hundred and eighty-five patients (970 eyes) meeting our inclusion criteria were selected for this study. The average CCT was 529.29 ± 35.9 μm in the right eye (95% confidence interval [CI]: 526.09–532.49), 528.19 ± 35.9 μm in the left eye (95% CI: 524.99–531.40) and 528.74 ± 35.89 μm in both eyes (95% CI: 526.48–531.00), range 440 to 670 μm. The average IOP was 13.01 ± 2.97 mmHg in both eyes (95% CI: 12.82–13.19). A rise in CCT by 100 μm was followed by an increase in IOP of about 2.8 mmHg (95% CI: 2.3–3.6) for both eyes taken together. Linear regression analysis showed that corneal thickness was negatively correlated with age and IOP was positively related with age.Conclusion:CCT in the Cameroonian nonglaucomatous black population was found to be lower compared with CCT values in Caucasian and Asian populations. On the basis of reference values ranging between 527 and 560 μm, an adjustment of IOP values by a correction factor is required for many Cameroonian patients. This will improve the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma by helping to detect true ocular hypertension.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: This study aimed to identify the main ocular complications of leprosy in Cameroon. Patients and Methods: It is a prospective cross-sectional study which took place from July 1998 to January 1999 in five leprosaria in Cameroon. The ophthalmological examination of all patients was performed by the same team. Results: Of the 218 patients examined, 60.1% were males and 39.9% females. 72.5% had a paucibacillary leprosy and 27.5% a multibacillary form. 77.5% of patients had at least one ocular lesion and 38.3% of eyes had visual acuity AE1/ 10. Madarosis and anterior uveitis were more frequent in multibacillary forms while lagophthalmos and cataract were so in paucibacillary forms. Conclusion: Ocular complications are frequent in leprosy in Cameroonians. It is a true public health problem and it is important to prevent these lesions by early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Background“Vision 2020 – the right to sight” is a program which purpose is to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 through the implementation of concrete action plans at the national and district levels. Accordingly, baseline data are needed for the planning, monitoring, follow-up and evaluation of this program. The present study aimed to better characterize visual impairment and blindness in Cameroonian diabetics by providing with baseline data on the prevalence and main causes of these affections.MethodsThis was a hospital-based cross-sectional study, conducted from October 2004 to October 2006 at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. We included 407 diabetic patients who were referred from diabetes clinics for ophthalmologic evaluation. Ophthalmologic data included visual acuity, intra-ocular pressure, fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography.ResultsThe prevalence of blindness and poor vision were respectively 12.3% and 17.4% with regard to the worst eyes. Fifty nine (14.5%) patients were found with diabetic maculopathy, of whom 25.4% (15/59) had poor vision, and 25.4% (15/59) were blind. The prevalence of sight threatening retinopathy (severe non-proliferative and proliferative) was 17.4%. The degree of visual impairment was comparable in both diabetic types (p = 0.825), and it increased with the severity of retinopathy (p < 0.0001), as well as that of maculopathy (p <0.0001). The prevalence of glaucoma was 15% (61/407) when considering the worst eyes. The severity of visual impairment increased with the severity of glaucoma (p = 0.001). One hundred and twenty-one (29.7%) patients presented with cataract irrespective of its location or severity. Cataract was significantly associated with poor vision and blindness (p < 0.0001). Hypertensive retinopathy (4.9%), papillary ischaemia (2.7%), vaso-occlusive eye disease (2.5%), and age-related macular edema (2%) were the other potential causes of visual impairment and blindness encountered the most in our setting. Age ≥ 50 years, male sex, duration of diabetes and hypertension variously increased the risk of having glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy.ConclusionPoor vision and blindness are frequent in Cameroonian diabetics, and their causes are similar to those reported by various other surveys: mainly cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy.

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes. It can lead to significant visual loss. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical profile of diabetic retinopathy, and assess the outcomes of laser photocoagulation therapy in a diabetic population in Cameroon.MethodsWe carried out a prospective cohort study during 24 months in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon. We included all diabetic patients who were referred from diabetes clinics for ophthalmologic evaluation. Data included type and duration of diabetes, visual acuity, intra-ocular pressure, results of fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography, and outcomes two months after treatment with laser photocoagulation.ResultsWe included 407 patients; 88% had type 2 diabetes. Their mean duration of diabetes was 6.4 years (SD=6.6). Forty point three percent (164/407) of patients were found to have DR on fundoscopy. Of the 164 patients with DR, 63.4% (104/164) had non-proliferative and 36.6% (60/164) had proliferative DR. Diabetic maculopathy was found in 14.5% (59/407) of all participants, and 36% (59/164) of patients with DR. There was a strong correlation between the duration of diabetes and retinopathy status (p < 0.001, r = 0.9541). Overall, 17.4% (71/407) of patients were eligible for laser photocoagulation. Of these, 66.2% (47/71) were treated, and 78.7% (37/47) of treated patients came back for control two months later. Among these treated patients an improvement of the retinopathy was noted in 73% (27/37), no change in 16.2% (6/37) and a worsening in 10.8% (4/37). Severe proliferative DR was significantly associated with treatment failure (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe frequency of DR may be high among diabetic patients in Cameroon. There was a good uptake of laser photocoagulation therapy among patients affected by DR in our setting, with good treatment outcomes. Interventions to prevent diabetes and increase the precocity of diagnosis and treatment of DR should be scaled up.

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