Ocular Findings in Persons With Albinism in Bujumbura, Burundi

Abstract

Background: Persons with albinism have varied ocular problems which can cause visual impairment or blindness. Moreover, there is a paucity of data on ocular findings in persons living with albinism in Africa particularly in Burundi. Objective: To determine the patterns of ocular findings in persons with albinism in Bujumbura, Burundi. Study design: Community based descriptive cross-sectional study. Study population: All persons with albinism living in Bujumbura (age ≥ 5 years). Methods: Approval of the Burundi “Albinos without borders” association was obtained and presented to the participants. Participants who met the inclusion criteria and consented to the study were recruited. Each participant underwent Visual acuity, stereoacuity, orthoptic assessment, amsler grid test, anterior segment, posterior segment examination and refraction. Results: A total of 110 participants were enrolled in the study, 56 males (50.9%) and 54 females (49.1%). The median age was 18.0 (IQR 10.0-27.0) years. The common ocular complaints were photophobia (96%) and reduced vision (89%). Majority had moderate visual impairment 71.3%. The most common types of refractive errors identified were hyperopic astigmatism (39.1%) and myopic astigmatism (26.0%). Nystagmus and strabismus were present in 96.4% and 63.6% respectively. Stereopsis was absent in 98%. Iris transillumination defect was the most common anterior segment finding with 88.2%.The most common posterior segment findings was fovea hypoplasia with 97.3%. Conclusion: Our study found high prevalence of visual impairment. Majority of the participants had not been seen by an eye care professional and very few used spectacles or sunglasses. Uncorrected refractive error was the main avoidable cause of reduced vision. Possible anatomical causes of visual impairment were fovea hypoplasia, optic disc hypoplasia and iris transillumination defect.