Glaucoma in Congo.

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequencies of various types of glaucoma in an urban community of Congo.

METHODS

The records of 176 patients with the diagnosis of glaucoma examined between 1991 and 1995 at a non-university center were reviewed. A complete ophthalmological examination was performed in each patient including best visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp examination, ophthalmology and intraocular pressure measurements. Gonioscopy and visual field examination were performed when needed.

RESULTS

The frequency distribution of the various subtypes of glaucoma was: open-angle glaucoma (72.2%), aphakic glaucoma (9%), uveitis glaucoma (6%), exfoliative glaucoma (3%), glaucoma secondary to ocular trauma (2.2%), cataract glaucoma (1.7%), normal tension glaucoma (1.7%), congenital glaucoma (1.7%), neovascular glaucoma (1.3%), pigmentary glaucoma (0.6%), corticosteroid-induced glaucoma (0.6%), and glaucoma associated with retinoblastoma (0.6%);

CONCLUSION

Despite the limitations inherent of a retrospective review of records, our study provides an indication of the prevalence of various types of glaucoma in a urban community of Congo. This study confirmed also the rarity of primary angle-closure glaucoma in the black.