Eye malformations in Cameroonian children: a clinical survey

André Omgbwa Eballé,1,2 Augustin Ellong,3 Godefroy Koki,3 Ngoune Chantal Nanfack,3 Viola Andin Dohvoma,3 Côme Ebana Mvogo2,31Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 2Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon; 3Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, CameroonSummary: The aim of this work was to describe the clinical aspects of eye malformations observed at the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.Patients and methods: We carried out a retrospective study of all malformations of the eye and its adnexae observed among children aged 0–5 years who were seen at the ophthalmology unit from January 2003 to December 2009.Results: Out of the 2254 children who were examined, 150 (6.65%) presented eye malformations. The mean age was 14.40 ± 4 months. Eye malformations were diagnosed in 71.66% of cases during the first year of life. The most frequent malformations were congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (66.66%), congenital cataract (10.9%), congenital glaucoma (10.9%), microphthalmos (5.03%), and congenital ptosis (3.77%).Conclusion: Eye malformations among children can lead to visual impairment and are a cause for discomfort to children and parents. Therefore, systematic postnatal screening is recommended to enable early management.Keywords: malformations, ophthalmology, child, Cameroon