Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and pattern of eye diseases among patients attending the eye clinics of Makah Eye Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: A retrospective study involved all the new cases presenting to the outpatient department of the hospital over a 22-month period from January 2012 to October 2013. Patients were examined by optometrists/ophthalmologists through routine examination using the Snellen's chart, refraction, tonometry, slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment, and fundus examination. Results: A total of 64,529 patients were seen during this period with a male to female ratio of 1:1.1. The most common eye diseases were cataract, allergic conjunctivitis, infective conjunctivitis, refractive disorders, and glaucoma. Conclusion: The pattern of eye diseases observed in Makah Eye Hospital was similar to other reports from developing world and such study will be helpful in planning, management, and prevention of blindness.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Purpose: To investigate the possible ocular biometric and keratometric changes in low and high degrees of simple myopia. Subjects of Methods: A sample of 60 myopic subjects their ages between 10 and 30 years recruited from the Makkah Eye Hospital in Khartoum. In this sample, 30 subjects with myopia < 3.00 D and other 30 subjects with myopia > 6.00 D. Auto keratometry and A-scan biometry were measured from two eyes of each subject. Results: Subjects with high myopia have longer axial length (AL) (P < 0.0001) compared to low myopic subjects. No significant difference found in front surface corneal power or type of corneal astigmatism between the two groups. Conclusion: Like previous studies myopia mainly develops with increases in AL of the eye rather than optical changes in cornea or lens.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness and other degrees of vision impairment in people aged 50 years and older in North Kordofan state, Sudan, using the Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness methodology. Design: Cross-sectional, population-based survey. Participants: Forty-three clusters of 50 people aged 50 years and older were selected by probability proportionate to size sampling of clusters. Households within clusters were selected through compact segment sampling. A total of 2167 eligible persons were selected, of whom 2032 (93.8%) persons were examined. Materials and Methods: Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination in their houses by trained ophthalmic teams, including measurement of visual acuity (VA) with a tumbling-E chart and the diagnosis of the principal cause of visual impairment. Results: The prevalence of bilateral blindness (presenting VA < 3/60) was 8.37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: ±1.60), the prevalence of severe visual impairment (VA < 6/60–3/60) was 2.71% (95% CI: ±0.59) and the prevalence of bilateral visual impairment (VA < 6/18–6/60) was 9.06% (95% CI: ±1.76) in the sample. Definite avoidable causes of blindness (i.e., cataract, refractive error, trachoma and corneal scarring) were responsible for 76.5% of bilateral blindness. Cataract was the major cause of blindness (60.6%), followed by Glaucoma (20%). Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness in people aged 50 years and older in North Kordofan state was higher than that expected for Sudan. The main cause of blindness was Cataract, followed by Glaucoma. More than 75% of blindness was due to avoidable causes.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Fungal keratitis is a very serious and potentially sight-threatening corneal infection that most commonly develops in patients after trauma or in those with a compromised corneal surface. Although it is relatively rare but due the extensive use of topical antibiotics and Steroids there have been a noticeable increase in fungal keratitis.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub] [CITATIONS]

Behçet's disease is a rare multisystem disease; it has many ocular features, and it is not known to be associated with dystrophic conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This is a case report of a Sudanese patient with Behçet's disease with ocular features and RP. A 28-year-old female with nyctalopia, skin hyper-pigmentation, and oral and genital ulcers was diagnosed as RP with Behçet's disease. She received a high dose of steroids and Azathioprine. She developed bilateral cataract and glaucoma. Pathergy test is negative. The patient is fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of both RP and Behçet's diseases. Behçet's disease is a rare condition; it is not common among Sudanese patients, and it has not been known to co-exist with RP.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

Background: Retinal Vein Occlusions are common retinal vascular disorder. They can bedivided to Central Retinal Vein Occlusions (CRVO); which is the commonest type, Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) or Hemispherical Retinal Vein Occlusion (HRVO). It presents with variable visual loss. Fundoscopy revealed retinal hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, and macular edema. Treatment is directed to the ocular or systemic causes and the macular edema. Objectives: To determine the risk factors and the effect of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Sudanese patients. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional hospital based, descriptive study which was conducted to determine the risk factors and the effect of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) in Sudanese patients attending the Retina Clinic in Makkah Eye Hospital (MEC). A total of 100 patients who presented to the Retina Clinic with RVO in MEC were studied, over a period of 6 months. The subjects were selected connectively as a case series. Results: Demographic data showed that males were more represented sample but the different was not signification. The most frequent age group was (61-70) years represented 31%. The most important risk factors for RVO in Sudanese were cigarette smoking followed by hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, IHD and other cardiac problems. Possible complications arise were retinal new vascularizations in 20%, macular edema in 16%, rebueosis irides and new vessels at the angle 2%. The interventions done were, laser done for 24,5% and 46.1% recived intraocular injection. Conclusion: RVO in Sudanese Patients is a frequent vascular disorder and causes significant visual loss. Aging, cigarette smoking, glaucoma and vascular disease are the commonest risk factors detected. The possible complications arise from RVO were retinal neovascularization, macular edema and neovascular glaucoma. Most of patients were received intraocular injection and laser was done for some of them.

[ABSTRACT]  [FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]

[FULL TEXT]  [PDF]  [Mobile Full text]  [EPub]