• Janvier Kilangalanga Ngoy, Thomas Stahnke, Serge Dinkulu, Emile Makwanga, Astrid Moanda, Georgette Ngweme, Edith Mukwanseke, Günther Kundt, Frank Thiesen, Adrian Hopkins, and Rudolf F Guthoff.
• Eye Department, St Joseph Hospital/CFOAC, Kinshasa, DRC.
• Afr Health Sci. 2020 Dec 1; 20 (4): 1817-1827.

IntroductionThe leading cause of childhood blindness globally is paediatric cataract. Bilateral cataract surgery can help to improve visual performance and to diminish the burden of childhood blindness.ObjectiveTo report in a retrospective observational cohort study the long-term outcomes of 298 children who had bilateral cataract surgery with IOL implantation from 2001-2016 in Kinshasa.MethodsA standardized surgical treatment of paediatric cataract was practiced on 298 children. Patient's follow-up, complications, and visual outcomes were recorded and analysed.ResultsThe mean age was 5.7 ± 4.3 years and males were predominant (64.9%). Most of children were living mainly in urban poorest areas (96.3%). Strabismus, nystagmus and microcornea were encountered in 20.1%, 25.1% and 8.7% of children, respectively. Using WHO criteria most of patients were classified as blind preoperatively and 81.9% of them had improved visual outcomes after surgery. Main reasons for reduced vision during follow-up were secondary cataract (5.7%), IOL decentration (1.2%), retinal detachment (1.2%), and secondary glaucoma (1.5%).ConclusionIn spite of the post conflict challenges, elimination of cataract blindness in children remains a priority. Children present at a late age for surgery and long term follow-up is poor. There is need for program strengthening in these areas.© 2020 Ngoy JK et al.

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