Pattern of paediatric ophthalmic admissions into the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu

Visual impairment in childhood is an impediment to learning and social development. A study of paediatric ophthalmic admissions into the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, was conducted to establish the main causes of admission, and the visual outcome after treatment. Of the 89 eyes in 67 patients whose case notes were analysed, infection (38 per cent), trauma (30 per cent), congenital diseases (17 per cent) and tumours (15 per cent) were the four main groups of ocular diseases seen. Measles infection was the major blinding disease. Trauma was associated with the worst visual prognosis in spite of treatment. Congenital cataract was the commonest congenital ocular disease. Although the visual outcome after cataract surgery was fair, the development of amblyopia prevented maximal visual recovery. The possibility of rubella aetiology of the cataract could not be ruled out in these patients. There is a need for sustained commitment to immunization. The availability of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments will improve the surgical care of patients with a view to better visual outcome. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2002; 29:47-5