[Frequency of corneal ulcer: Retrospective study of 380 cases carried out in two centers in the DR Congo]. / Fréquence de l'ulcère cornéen à propos de 380 cas : étude rétrospective menée dans deux centres hospitaliers en RD Congo.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of corneal ulcer in our practice environment. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted at Saint-Joseph Hospital in Kinshasa and at the Lubumbashi University Clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo from January 2011 to December 2014. We studied the frequency, demographic and clinical variables of corneal ulcer patients. RESULTS: A total of 380 cases of corneal ulcers were recorded out of 44,722 ophthalmologic consultations performed, with a frequency of 0.85% and a sex ratio ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 men to women. Corneal ulcer was diagnosed in patients of all ages; the mean age was 38.67±18.67 years. Patients with corneal ulcers presented for eye pain (80%), followed by tearing, photophobia, eye redness and blurred vision. The frequency of visual impairment was 10.30%; 2.1% of patients had vision reduced to light perception, and 1% of patients had no light perception. Corneal dystrophy was present in 41.6% of cases. Perforation of the globe and endophthalmitis were observed in 3.4% of cases each. CONCLUSION: Corneal ulceration is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in our practice environment. An early ophthalmologic consultation at the onset of symptoms and adequate management would improve the visual prognosis of patients.

[Diabetic retinopathy in Lubumbashi]. / La rétinopathie diabétique à lubumbashi.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of diabetic retinopathy in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo). METHODS: Descriptive survey including 369 diabetic patients examined in our department of Ophthalmology of Lubumbashi from May 2006 to March 2008. Rates of glycaemia and blood pressure were noted. All the patients had a complete ophthalmological examination including visual acuity measurement, anterior biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure and fundus examination after pupil dilation. RESULTS: At the time of ocular examination, the mean age of diabetic patients was 57 years (range 16 to 85) with a sex ratio of 1.2 males for 1 female. The frequency of type 1 diabetic patients was 28% and of type 2, 72%. High blood pressure was found in 42% of the patients. The frequency of diabetic patients (all forms included) was 13% and diabetes-induced blindness was 0.27%. In our study, the frequency of diabetic retinopathy increased with the patient's age and the duration of the diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy was more frequently found in adults. We did not find correlation between the level of glycaemia and the incidence of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: From our epidemiological study, diabetic retinopathy is a concern for adult public health. It requires organized screening and early treatment to prevent blindness of those diabetic patients.