Bilateral optic neuropathy in Dar es Salaam is now considered endemic and is estimated to affect 0.3-2.4% of young adults. The condition is characterized by a subacute bilateral loss of central vision of unknown aetiology. Findings of spectral domain optical coherence tomography have not previously been reported for these patients. All patients diagnosed with endemic optic neuropathy over a 2-year period at the Muhimbili National Hospital underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography macular imaging. Scans were graded qualitatively for severity of retinal nerve fibre layer loss as well as the presence of microcystic macular changes, which have not previously been described in this condition. Of the 128 patients included (54.7% male; median age 20 years), severe retinal nerve fibre layer loss was found in 185 eyes (74.0%). There was full concordance in retinal nerve fibre layer thickness between the two eyes in 113 (91.1%) patients. Microcystic macular spaces were found in 16 (12.5%) patients and were bilateral in nine (7.0%) individuals. These changes were typically more prominent in the nasal than the temporal macula, predominantly involving the inner nuclear layer, and often occurred in an annular configuration that was evident on en face infra-red imaging, though not discernible on colour fundus photography or clinically. All patients with microcystic macular changes had severe thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (P = 0.02). Four patients in whom cystic spaces were demonstrated had sequential scans, and there was no detectable alteration in the configuration of these changes over a period of up to 16 months. This is the first study to document optical coherence tomography findings in endemic optic neuropathy. We have observed symmetrical severe loss of the caeco-central projection (papillomacular bundle) with otherwise well-preserved macular architecture. Also, we have observed microcystic retinal changes in a significant proportion of patients, which were associated with severe retinal nerve fibre layer loss. Similar changes have recently been reported from optical coherence tomography images of patients with multiple sclerosis, relapsing isolated optic neuritis, dominant optic atrophy, Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and a patient with a chronic compressive optic neuropathy, supporting the hypothesis that this may be a non-specific phenomenon secondary to ganglion cell death. The correspondence of the changes to an annulus discernible on infra-red en face imaging, but not using other conventional retinal imaging techniques highlights the potential usefulness of this modality.

Background: Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) is an indicator of corneal health status as well as being an essential tool in assessment and management of corneal diseases. It is an important factor in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma as it affects the measurement of intraocular pressure. However, the pattern of central corneal thickness in our population is not known. Our study aimed to describe the CCT measurements and their variation with age and sex among patients attending the eye clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methodology: A hospital-based descriptive, cross-sectional study used convenient sampling to recruit adult patients aged 18 years and above, presenting to the MNH between August 2016 and January 2017.Visual acuity assessment, Goldman applanation tonometry and CCT assessment using an ultrasound pachymeter were performed. Patients with previous intraocular surgery were excluded. Results: A total of 398 patients (208 males and 190 females) were recruited. The mean CCT was 526.64±38.30 µm; being 523.99±38.20 µm for males and 529.7±38.3 µm for females. 226 (56.85%) had CCT of less than 520 µm.There was no statistically significant difference in CCT between gender. The proportion of patients with thinner CCT increased with increasing age from 25.8% in those < 30 years to 75% in those aged 71years and above. The mean CCT decreased with increasing age with P-value<0.001. Conclusion: The average CCT in patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital is 526.64 µm (SD 38.30) which is generally thin, inversely proportion to age and similar that of other Africans and African-Americans. This finding has implications for the management of glaucoma in this population.

Objectives: To assess the clinical picture and grouping of retinoblastoma at first presentation to the oncology ward at Muhimbili National Hospital. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive hospital based study was conducted from April to December 2018. Seventy two patients who presented for the first time to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) with a diagnosis of retinoblastoma were consecutively sampled and recruited in the study. Visual acuity, horizontal corneal diameter, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segments of the eye were assessed and each eye was classified according to the International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) group. Ultrasonography, neuroimaging and histology were performed. Results: A total of 72 patients comprising of 90 affected eyes were recruited and analyzed: 39(54.2%) males and 33(45.8%) females. Majority of patients were residents of the Coastal and Lake Zones. Family history of Retinoblastoma was positive in only one patient. Fifty four (75.0%) patients had unilateral disease. Leukocoria (77.8%) and proptosis (41.7%) were the commonest first clinical signs noted by the family and health workers at MNH respectively. At MNH, both bilateral and unilateral cases presented with advanced disease of group E and extra ocular extension where 84(93.3%) eyes were indicated for enucleation. The median lag time from disease onset to presentation at MNH was 4 months. Conclusion: Leukocoria was the commonest first sign of retinoblastoma presentation at home. However, despite early presentation to primary health facilities, most patients presented to the tertiary centre of MNH late with advanced disease. Efforts to raise awareness on retinoblastoma to both health workers and the community are important for early case detection, referral, diagnosis and treatment in order to improve visual outcomes and survival rates of retinoblastoma patients.

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Background: Willingness to donate eyes and other organs in general is still unsatisfactory worldwide, specifically in low income countries including Sub-Saharan Africa where the awareness about eye and other organs donation is still low. Factors like religion may also affect people’s decision making in terms of organ donation. Therefore, it is difficult to have enough tissues for transplant and sustainable local eye banks. The aim of the study was to assess willingness to donate eyes among outpatients attending Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Methodology: A cross sectional hospital based study with quantitative and qualitative approaches was done from July to December 2017. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used for quantitative and qualitative parts respectively. Results: A total of 434 participants were interviewed, 58.06% were female. Only 32.5% of all respondents, were aware that eyes can be donated, while 47.9% were willing to donate their eyes. The main reason for willingness was to help a blind person (64.25%), while the main reason for unwillingness was need of more information about eye donation (31.7%), followed by religious reasons (22.0%). Willingness to donate eyes was associated with prior awareness (p=0.0001), religion (p=0.010) and sex (p=0.049). Important themes emerged from the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were: Helping needy people, religion, death and respect of body. Conclusion: Willingness to donate eyes was seen in nearly a half of the participants though awareness was low. Most of the participants had positive perception about eye donation services. Negative perception was associated with lack of information, religious beliefs and fear. Therefore, community education is important to raise awareness and willingness to donate eyes.