Authors: Bora Uzima Akilimali A, Shombo Djoma A, Kimba Mukanya P, Iye Abial S, Bakari Omari S, Mbuyi Musanzayi S, Saleh Ugumba C, Chenge Borasisi G, Kaimbo wa Kaimbo D, Ngoie Maloba V.
Aim: to describe the epidemioclinical and etiological aspect of non-trachomatous corneal opacities in the population of Lubumbashi.
Material and Method: This is a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study of 281 patients with non-trachomatous corneal opacity collected at the reference center of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi from 2011 to 2016, i.e. a period of 5 years according to a convenience sample. Each patient underwent a complete routine ophthalmological examination. All forms of corneal opacities associated or not with ocular perforation and qualitative and quantitative variables were included in the study. Dystrophies and trachomatous opacities were excluded from the study. For all statistical tests, the significance threshold was 5% (p < 0.05). 95% CI. The size of corneal opacity was assessed at the slit lamp in the absence of OCT.
Results: 31.0 38 subjects were examined of which 1244 patients had corneal involvement (4%), 281 patients had corneal opacity (281/1244 or 22,6%). The mean age of the patients was 25.2±15.9 years. Male gender was dominant with a number of 57.3%. The left eye was more affected in 52.7%; Most patients in 38.1% had visual acuity ≥ 3/10. Corneal blindness (58.4%), trauma was the remarkable cause (36.3%) and leukoma was objectified opacity in 39.9%. Superficial corneal lesions (60.1%). Classical medical treatment was 65,1% (Corticosteroid therapy: 71%, Vitamin B12: 11.5%) against 34.9% of other treatments.
Conclusion: Corneal opacity is a real public health problem in our environment given its high frequency and its adequate management is not up to par.
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