Our Summary
This study aimed to understand the proportion of children who needed eye surgery amongst new patients at the Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over two years. The researchers looked back at records from May 2015 to April 2017 for all new patients aged 0-16 years old.
From the 1240 children who came to the clinic in the two years of the study, 142 (or about 11.5%) needed surgical procedures. The children requiring surgery were aged between 1 month and 16 years old, with an average age of 6.4 years. More than half of the children needing surgery were boys.
The most common reason for surgery was cataracts and other issues related to cataracts (about 86% of the cases). Other reasons were glaucoma and strabismus, while a few had nasolacrimal duct obstruction and epibulbar dermoid.
The study suggests that pediatric cataract, a leading cause of childhood blindness, makes up the majority of surgical cases in their unit. Therefore, the researchers recommend that training and equipment purchases should focus on pediatric cataracts to improve children’s eye health services.
FAQs
- What was the main aim of the study conducted at the Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan?
- What was the most common reason for eye surgery among children in the study?
- What are the recommendations from the researchers based on the outcomes of the study?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ocular surgery is to follow all pre-operative instructions provided by the surgeon, such as avoiding certain medications or foods before the surgery. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome and minimize any potential complications during the surgery. Additionally, the patient should communicate openly with the surgeon about any concerns or questions they may have before the surgery to ensure they are well-informed and prepared for the procedure.
Suitable For
Typically, patients recommended for ocular surgery include those with cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and epibulbar dermoid. In the study mentioned above, pediatric cataracts were the most common reason for surgery among children aged 0-16 years old.
Timeline
Before surgery:
- Patient visits the pediatric ophthalmology unit for evaluation
- Patient undergoes various tests and examinations to determine the need for surgery
- Patient and their family are informed about the surgery procedure and potential risks
- Surgery date is scheduled and pre-operative instructions are given to the patient
After surgery:
- Patient undergoes the surgical procedure under anesthesia
- Patient is monitored closely post-surgery for any complications
- Patient may need to stay in the hospital for observation or may be discharged the same day
- Patient is given post-operative care instructions and medications to aid in healing
- Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress and ensure proper healing.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What specific type of ocular surgery do I need and why?
- What are the risks and potential complications associated with the surgery?
- What is the success rate for this type of surgery?
- What is the recovery process like and how long will it take?
- Are there any alternative treatments to surgery that I should consider?
- How experienced are you in performing this type of surgery?
- Will I need any follow-up appointments or additional treatments after the surgery?
- What can I do to prepare for the surgery and optimize my chances of a successful outcome?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make before or after the surgery to support my eye health?
- Are there any specific medications or eye drops I will need to use before or after the surgery?
Reference
Authors: Ugalahi MO, Monye HI, Olusanya BA, Baiyeroju AM. Journal: Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2021 Jan-Mar;18(1):1-4. doi: 10.4103/ajps.AJPS_87_20. PMID: 33595532