[Ocular manifestations in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in Togo]. / Atteintes oculaires chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH/sida sous trithérapie au Togo.

AIM: The twofold purpose of this study in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV/AIDS) and undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) was to determine the prevalence of ocular manifestations and its correlation with CD4 T-cell count. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who attended 2 NGO care centers that manage PLHIV/AIDS in Lomé, Togo between August and October 2005 were recruited. CD4 T-cell counts and use of antiretroviral treatment was noted. A thorough eye examination was performed in all cases. RESULTS: A total of 422 PLHIV/SIDA were recruited including 281 who were undergoing HAART. The sex-ratio was 2 female/1 male. Mean age was 34 +/- 2294 years. Involvement of the anterior segment was observed in 36.3% of patients and involvement of the posterior segment in 54.1%. The second most common ocular manifestation was ophthalmic herpes zoster of the anterior segment (19.6%) secondary to conjunctivitis (57.8%). One case of palpebral and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was noted. The most common type of posterior segment involvement was cotton-wool nodules (35.5%). Five cases of CMV retinitis were observed. CONCLUSION: A longitudinal study in PLHIV/AIDS will be needed to better evaluate the correlation between ocular manifestations and CD4 T-cell count.

[What do we know about intraocular pressure in the Togolese population?]. / Que savons-nous de la pression intra-oculaire dans la population togolaise?

BACKGROUND: Intraocular pressure is a major ocular risk factor of chronic open angle glaucoma. This study aimed to describe characteristics of intraocular pressure in a defined black African population. METHODS: Hospital outpatients were recruited for this study, and all measures were taken with a pulse air tonometer between 8 AM and 12 AM; some participants were glaucoma patients under medical treatment. On the whole, 7,042 participants (13,831 eyes) were included in this study. RESULTS: The mean age of all participants was 41 +/- 18 years: 9.9% were under 16 years of age; 21.2% were between 35 and 44 years old. The average intraocular pressure was 17.05+/-5.93 mmHg; for the subgroup under 16 years of age. Girls had higher pressure than boys: 16.01 vs 16.32 mmHg in the right eye. For those over 16 years of age, pressures were higher in men, with an average of 17.45 mmHg vs 16.67 mmHg in the right eye. High intraocular pressure was found in 22.28% of the participants, with values ranging from 20 to 29 mmHg in 86.8% of cases. The relative prevalence of hypertony seems to increase with age, reaching 30% for those aged 55-64 years. CONCLUSION: There is a high rate of hypertony in our findings, which seems to correlate with the increased glaucoma prevalence already described in the Togolese population. We concluded that in our setting, the prevention of glaucoma in isolated hypertonies and the management of glaucomatous cases warrant a thorough assessment of intraocular pressure at all ages.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding glaucoma in the urban and suburban population of Lomé (Togo)]. / Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques relatives au glaucome dans la population urbaine et semi-urbaine de Lomé (Togo).

PURPOSE: One of the main constraints in the prevention of blindness is the lack of awareness of people regarding eye diseases. This study was undertaken to determine the level of knowledge, the attitudes and practices regarding glaucoma in the population of Lomé. METHODS: An interview using a questionnaire was conducted among an opportunistic sample of 767 people living in the capital city of Lomé and in some of its suburbs. The interview targeted people aged 20 to 65 years; the questions were either closed or open. The interviews were conducted either in French or in the local languages where needed and in the latter case with the help of a translator. Variables measured included education status, e.g., schooling years, economic status and professional situation. RESULTS: The knowledge of eye diseases accounted for 84% among the population studied; the most well-known being myopia, cataract, presbyopia, and glaucoma in decreasing order. Glaucoma was known by 228 people (29.7%) among whom 25% were aware of glaucoma blindness cases; 61.5% declared that glaucoma was a serious condition; 4.4% admitted the use of traditional eye-healers; 56.1% were not confident in the local doctors for the treatment of glaucoma. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of people who are not confident in the capabilities of national doctors to efficiently treat glaucoma is worrying. This situation requires the set up of a rational national strategic action plan (e.g., health education) aimed at reducing the burden of glaucoma blindness in the country.

[The distribution of cup disc ratios in a general population of Southern Togo aged 40 years and over]. / Distribution de l'excavation papillaire dans une population générale de 685 personnes âgées de plus de 40 ans et habitant le Sud Togo.

PURPOSE: Clinical reports and epidemiological surveys have raised the key issues of both the burden of glaucoma blindness and the high prevalence of the disease among the populations of Togo. This population survey aimed to collect data on the distribution of cup disc ratios. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population of 685 persons was selected in a remote rural area. All participants aged over 40 years were included. Eye assessment was conducted in the local health facilities using a visual acuity chart, an ophthalmoscope and light magnification for exploration of the anterior segment. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 49.70 years (range, 40-99 years); men accounted for 61.8% and women 38.2%. Mean cup disc ratios were not different in both eyes, with 0.38 in the right eye and 0.37 in the left. Cup disc ratios over 0.5 represented 29.3% in the right eye and 29.8% in the left one; a cut-off point over 0.7 gave an abnormal cup ratio prevalence of 9.2% in the right eye and 9.3% in the left eye. In 92% of cases, the appearance of the cupping was round, and was elliptic in 7.6% of patients. We found that 75% of discs had a central round cupping. The temporal location was noted in 22% of cases while nasal locations were recorded in 2.4%. CONCLUSION: This survey has noted the various patterns of cup discs, with the mean cup disc ratio similar to what is usually described in similar studies. Further population-based surveys using the cut-off ratios found here are needed to determine the prevalence of glaucoma in this rural area.

[Correlation between neuroretinal rim and optic disc areas in normal melanoderm and glaucoma patients]. / Corrélation entre les surfaces des anneaux rétiniens et des papilles, chez des sujets mélanodermes normaux et glaucomateux.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate optic disc size and its relationship with neuroretinal rim areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was prospective; 400 hundred patients with 292 glaucomatous and 108 non glaucomatous were enrolled in this study. Optic disc size quantification was assessed by the use of Goldmann 3 mirror contact lens; diameter reading were adjusted by the magnification factor of the lens, squares of the disc and the cupping were calculated using an ellipse formula, the neuroretinal rim area was then obtained by reducing the cupping area from the whole optic disc area. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 36.80 years (sd: 15.68 years).The average value of the vertical disc diameter was 2.045 mm (sd: 0.254) for glaucoma patients and 1.966 mm (sd: 0.237) in the control group; p<0.001. Neuroretinal rim area was 1.886 mm(2) (sd: 0.675) in the glaucoma group; and 2.165 mm(2) (sd: 0.425) in the control one; p<0. 004. In the glaucoma group, 72.97% of large optic disc were found (vertical diameter over 1.90 mm); and 63.80% in the control one. In the control group, neuroretinal rim area was wider in the large optic discs compared to the small discs, p<0.001, Anova test. Neuroretinal rim area was thinner in the glaucoma large disc compared to the control, p<0.005, Student test. Meanwhile, there was no difference in the medium and the small discs in the glaucoma and control groups; p > 0.005, Student Newmann test. CONCLUSION: Neuroretinal rim areas are thinner in the large glaucoma discs compared to the non glaucoma large discs. In Africa, this parameter could be helpful in the diagnosis and survey of glaucoma patients.

[Cytomegalovirus retinitis and ocular complications in AIDS patients in Togo]. / Rétinites à cytomégalovirus et complications oculaires du SIDA au Togo.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus retinitis seems to be an uncommon complication in African AIDS patients. This study was conducted in 200 patients in order to evaluate AIDS eye related complications with specific focus to cytomegalovirus retinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a period of 20 months, 200 patients (83 men and 117 women) presenting WHO AIDS case definition diagnosis were enrolled for a complete ocular examination comprising external, anterior segment and retinal fundus and fluorescein angiographic examination. RESULTS: For the whole, 200 patients underwent ocular examinations; of them 121 (60.5%) developed ocular complications. The most frequent complications were cotton wool spots (25.5%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (21.5%), retinal hemorrhage (6%), papilloedema (3%), chorioretinal toxoplasmosis (3%), peripheral retinal vascularitis (2. 5%), herpes zoster ophthalmicus (2%). Among those with CMV retinitis, bilateral lesions were found in 30 cases, and unilateral ones in 13 cases. Poor vision was associated with the presence of CMV retinitis in 88% of cases. Death occurred in a mean range of 22 days after the "presumed" diagnosis of CMV retinitis. CONCLUSION: Cytomegalovirus retinitis represents the second ocular complication in AIDS patients in this study. Poor visual outcome was associated in 88% of cases. These results demonstrate that in some west African countries, CMV retinitis may be a common complication in AIDS patients.

[Morphometry of the optic disc in Togolese patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. Preliminary study]. / Morphométrie de la papille chez des sujets togolais glaucomateux et suspects de glaucome. Etude préliminaire.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure morphometric parameters of the optic disc in Togolese glaucoma patients and suspects by the mean of the millimetric scale of the slit lamp and the Goldmann contact lens. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We selected 202 patients (393 eyes) with a mean age of 36.69 years +/- 15.33 (standard deviation); they were divided into 2 subgroups A (162 glaucomatous) and B (40 glaucoma suspects); direct reading of the slit lamp millimetric scale and the Goldmann contact lens was used. RESULTS: In the group A, the optic disc vertical diameter was 1.792 +/- 0.21 mm; the horizontal diameter was 1.701 +/- 0.198 mm. In the group B, vertical disc diameter was 1.700 +/- 0.262 mm; the horizontal one was 1.662 +/- 0.190 mm. The vertical cup disc diameter was 1.147 +/- 0.274 mm in the group A and 0.708 mm +/- 0.274 mm in the group B. The neuroretinal area was 1.360 +/- 0.524 mm2 in group A and 1.786 +/- 0.467 mm2 in group B. CONCLUSION: This study using millimetric scale of the slit lamp and the three mirrors Goldmann contact lens was easy, simple and useful clinically. It could be helpful in conducting quantitative studies in countries with low resources because this method is costless compared with others.

[Retinal complications in AIDS patients at the Lomé (Togo) University Hospital]. / Les complications rétiniennes chez des patients atteints de SIDA au CHU de Lomé (Togo).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe retinal complications observed in patients presenting with AIDS at Lome teaching hospital. MATERIAL: All patients who met WHO AIDS clinical case diagnostic in Africa, admitted for various signs in hospital, were followed between December 1996 and May 1997 for ocular examinations. RESULTS: We surveyed 94 patients; 41 (43.6%) had retinal lesions. Retinal complications were cotton whool spots (30 cases), retinal hemorrhages (4 cases), papilloedema (4 cases), cytomegalovirus retinitis (8 cases). Mortality in patients with retinal complications occurred 10 months after the clinical diagnosis of AIDS. CONCLUSION: This study has found a high retinal morbidity contrasting with other studies in Africa. This could be explained by the longer period of follow-up larger than in previous similar studies.

[Retinal involvement in drepanocytosis in Togo. Correlation between age, genotype and retinopathy]. / Atteinte rétinienne au cours de la drépanocytose au Togo. Corrélation entre âge, génotype et rétinopathie.

PURPOSE: To evaluate different retinal complications, study correlation with age and links with genotypic forms in Togolese sickle cell patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients were recruited between 1994 and 1996 at the hospital, genotypic diagnosis by electrophoresis, systematic angiofluorography were performed and laser photocoagulation of retinal neovascularisation if needed. RESULTS: A total number of 190 patients were recruited, 84 (44.21%) had retinopathy, while 106 (55.79%) were normal. The SC form was most affected with 50 patients (26.3%), followed by the SS group in 11.05% (21 patients), and AS trait, 2.65% (5 patients). Patients most affected by proliferative retinopathy were aged 35-44 years (n = 30; 15%), 25-34 years in 23.8% and 15-24 years in 20.6%. CONCLUSION: Young Togolese sickle cell patients aged 35 to 44 year-old and the SC forms appear to have a relative high risk of proliferative retinopathy in this study.