Peripheral Retinal Degenerations in Kenyan African Myopes
Abstract
A total of 128 subjects (256 eyes) had their eyes
examined under full mydriasis. Indirect Ophthalmoscopy was
done in every subject to determine the presence or absence
of peripheral retinal pre-degenerations and degenerations.
The subjects consisted of volunteers and patients who
attended the refraction clinics. The results were analysed
according to age groups, degree of myopia and also considered
was the frequency of distribution in various quadrants of the
eye.
The results were compared in association with retinal
breaks and retinal detachments. A review of the retinal
detachment operations done within the last ten years at the
Kenyatta National Hospital, was done and a graph constructed
to determine the decline or increase in the numbers seen
every year.
A significant incidence of pre-degenerations was noted,
and there was a strong association between these degenerations
and the retinal breaks and detachments seen during the period
of the study.
In conclusion, considering the ever increasing number of
retinal detachments seen every year at the Kenyatta National
Hospital, it is necessary that every ophthalmic surgeon becomes
more conscious of peripheral retinal degenerations and treat
them as necessary, in order to prevent some, of the retinal
detachments that would otherwise arise from them •
Citation
Masters of Medicine (Ophthalmology)Publisher
University of Nairobi School of Medicine