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Childhood traumatic cataract in Nigeria; a multicentre study: 2017–2021

Eye (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To determine the frequency, demography, aetiology and mechanisms of ocular injuries associated with childhood traumatic cataract in Nigeria.

Methods

A retrospective multicentre study conducted across ten child eye health tertiary facilities in Nigeria between January 2017 and December 2021. Clinic records of all children aged 0–17 years who had been diagnosed with cataract at the various participating centres were reviewed. Information collected include: biodata, mechanism of injury; laterality, place of injury; object responsible; person responsible; duration before presentation and surgical intervention.

Results

A total of 636 out of 1656 children (38.4%) had traumatic cataracts during the study period. Their mean age was 109.4 ± 45.2 months with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Most injuries were unilateral, two (0.3%) children had bilateral involvement. Only 78 (15.3%) children presented within 4 weeks of the injury. Closed globe injuries were responsible for the traumatic cataract in 475 (74.7%) children, while open globe injuries were more likely to present within 24 h (P < 0.001). The commonest objects of injury were cane, sticks, plant, wood and play materials. Self-inflicted injuries occurred in about 82 (13%) children while 407 (64.0%) were caused by close relatives and contacts. The location where trauma occurred was home in 375 (59.8%) and school in 107 (16.8%) children.

Conclusion

This multicentre study demonstrates that more than one-third of all childhood cataracts in Nigeria are trauma-related and majority are due to closed globe injuries. Public health interventions to reduce the occurrence of ocular trauma and to encourage early presentation after trauma are advocated.

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Data availability

Data is available upon reasonable request

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paediatric Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin & University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Dupe Ademola-Popoola

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University & Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

    Nasiru Muhammad

  3. ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

    Atima Mayor

  4. Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Katon Rikkos, Plateau State, Nigeria

    Patricia Wade & Tenmang E. Panshak

  5. Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria

    Ifeoma Ezegwui & Nnenma Udeh

  6. Department of Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital/College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria

    Kareem O. Musa

  7. Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Mary Ugalahi & Bolutife Olusanya

  8. Calabar Children’s Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    Elizabeth Dennis Nkanga

  9. Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

    Chinyelu N. Ezisi & Chinenyenwa R. Okanya

  10. Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Benin and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

    Valentina W. Okeigbemen & Oseluese A. Dawodu

  11. Calabar Children’s Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

    Nkama M. Etiowo

  12. Department of Ophthalmology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria

    Ademola A. Sule

  13. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

    Tokunbo Obajolowo

  14. Department of Ophthalmology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

    Hassan D. Muhammad

Authors
  1. Dupe Ademola-Popoola
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  2. Nasiru Muhammad
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  4. Patricia Wade
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  6. Kareem O. Musa
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  7. Mary Ugalahi
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  8. Elizabeth Dennis Nkanga
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  10. Chinyelu N. Ezisi
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  14. Chinenyenwa R. Okanya
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  15. Nkama M. Etiowo
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  18. Bolutife Olusanya
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  19. Hassan D. Muhammad
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Contributions

DAP was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data, interpreting results and creating tables. NM was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data and interpreting results. AM extracted and analysed data, interpreted results and provided feedback on the report. PW was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data. IE was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data. KOM was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data and interpreting results. MU, EDN, NU and CNE contributed to data extraction and writing of the report. VWO was responsible for designing the study protocol, writing the proposal and report, extracting and analysing data and interpreting results. OAD, TEP, CRO, NME, AAS and HDM contributed to data extraction and providing feedback for the report. TO and BO also extracted and analysed data, interpreted results and provided feedback on the report.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dupe Ademola-Popoola.

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Ademola-Popoola, D., Muhammad, N., Mayor, A. et al. Childhood traumatic cataract in Nigeria; a multicentre study: 2017–2021. Eye (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-023-02749-9

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