Causes and pattern of eye diseases in children attending the paediatric eye unit of Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital, Shika, Zaria

Background: To determine the causes and pattern of eye diseases in children 0-15 years of age attending the Paediatric unit of the Department of Ophthalmology Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Zaria with a view of obtaining data for planning of children eye care in the hospital and in similar hospitals around the area. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. All children that met the inclusion criteria were recruited. Visual acuity assessments were done in verbal children using Snellen’s chart, Tumbling E-Chart and picture charts while preferential looking, fixation, objection to occlusion were used for preverbal patients. Anterior segment examination was done using a loupe or slit lamp biomicroscope as appropriate while posterior segment was examined by direct ophthalmoscopy. Manual refraction was done using streak retinoscope (cycloplegic refraction when required) Result: A total of 12,516 patients attended the Ophthalmology out-patient clinic of the hospital during the 30- month study period (May 2014- Oct. 2016); 1,760 (14.1%) were patients 0- 15 years of age (study population).A total of 448 children were recruited for the study. The male to female ratio M: F was 1.3:1. Allergic conjunctivitis 181 (40.4%), refractive error 42 (9.4%) and infective conjunctivitis 39 (8.7%) were the most common ocular disorders seen. The prevalence of visual impairment was 34.4%.Trauma was the most common cause of uniocular visual impairment. The proportion of blind eyes was 3.1% (n=12) Conclusions: : The common ocular disorders seen among the children were treatable causes of visual impairment. Public health education is necessary to create awareness on the causes of blindness. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the ocular disorders with respect to age and gender of the children.