Ocular findings in children with homozygous sickle cell disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of ocular manifestations in Congolese children with homozygous sickle cell disease.


METHODS
Sixty-six children with homozygous sickle cell disease were examined for ocular abnormalities between March 1 and August 31, 1998. The ages of children ranged from two to 18 years. Routine ophthalmic examination included measurement of visual acuity, inspection of the adnexa and cornea, refraction, silt-lamp examination and dilated ophthalmoscopy.


RESULTS
Ocular abnormalities were found in 47 (71%) children of 66 subjects. Ophthalmologic abnormalities included conjunctival signs (32%), retinal vascular tortuosity (29%) and dilatation (26%), AV crossing (29%).


CONCLUSIONS
Ocular findings in this study were similar to those previously published in Africa, which showed a low frequency of retinal changes.
Kaimbo Wa Kaimbo
D
D
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kinshasa.
Ngiyulu Makuala
R
R
Dralands
L
L
Missotten
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution