title: African programme for Onchoceriasis control: ophthalmological findings in Bushenyi, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The overall prevalence of blindness from Onchoceriasis in Bushenyi is relatively low, most of which is to be found in the elderly. Onchoceriasis is a major health problem in Africa. The Community-Directed treatment with invermectin is a control strategy to address the problem, but baseline data are generally lacking in several countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe baseline ophthalmological data in order to assess the impact of Community-Directed with Ivermectin (CDTI) in Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study site was in Bushenyi, Western Uganda. In a cross-sectional study, 367 persons aged 10 years or older from seven selected villages received eye examination using a standardised protocol and Wu-Jones Motion Sensitivity Testing (MSST). Besides MSST, other information sought included visual acuity, slit lamp examination, testicular opacities and intraocular presence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 367 subjects, 219(57.2%) were males. Subjects less than 25 years of age were 104(28.3). The prevalence of blindness were 1.9% while 4.1% was visually impaired by acuity criteria alone. A further 9.1% had moderate visual field loss while 2.8% had severe field loss. There was no case of anterior chamber microfilaria but dead microfilariae were seen in two cases. Punctate keratitis was present in 1.8% with sclerosing keratitis was twice as common at 3.8%. Optic atrophy was also relatively common at 12.4%, while chorioretinitis was present in 3.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was an apparent paucity of acute onchocerciasis-related lesions but a significant presence of irreversible onchocerciasis-related lesions. The most significant problem requiring intervention would appear to be cataract.
authors: Rachel Eye Center, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Bablo57@yahoo.com
authors: O E
authors: OE
authors: Babalola
authors: F K
authors: FK
authors: Ogbuagu
authors: B T
authors: BT
authors: Maegga
authors: E I
authors: EI
authors: Braide
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Magimbi
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Zoure
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Yameogo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Seketeh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015827:Onchocerciasis, Ocular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D015351:Vision Screening / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin