The aim of this study was to analyze the use of the diagnostic B-scan ultrasound. Should it be made accessible to all surgical centers in Sub-Saharan Africa in order to (i) avoid unnecessary cataract surgery and (ii) evaluate extraocular pathology? This study was conducted in Kinshasa from 2006 to 2019. Three hundred and twenty-three patients were included and separated into two groups. Group 1 included 262 patients with dense cataract. Group 2 consisted of 61 patients with pathologies of the ocular adnexa, and all were examined with a B-scan ultrasound. In group 1, there were 437 systematically screened eyes. Three hundred and ninety-eight eyes (91.08%) showed no abnormalities, 13 (2.97%) retinal detachments were identified, and 15 (3.43%) demonstrated a detached posterior hyaloid membrane. In the second group, 61 patients were examined (group 2). In 20 of them, surgery was performed for biopsy, tumor excision, mucoceles drainage, and palliative treatment. The need for routine B-scan examinations in dense cataract patients seems to be limited and can most likely be replaced by a thorough application of locally available examination techniques. B-scan application is recommended to manage orbital patients in the most cost-effective way.

Introduction: The 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. Objective: To report in a retrospective observational cohort study the long-term outcomes of 298 children who had bilat- eral cataract surgery with IOL implantation from 2001-2016 in Kinshasa. Methods: A standardized surgical treatment of paediatric cataract was practiced on 298 children. Patient’s follow-up, com- plications, and visual outcomes were recorded and analysed. Results: The 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%). Conclusion: In 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. Keywords: Paediatric cataract surgery; bilateral cataract; outcomes.

Market gardening is very important for the food security and the socio-economic life of the population of the city of Kinshasa. They provide more than 70% of the fresh vegetables consumed in the city. However, the production practices of these vegetables can lead to their contamination by micropollutants such as toxic metals with potential health risks for consumers to be assessed. This research examines the accumulation of toxic metals in amaranth (Amaranthus viridis) leaves sold in four markets in the city of Kinshasa in order to assess the potential risks to consumers. The results show that concentrations of toxic metals in amaranth leaves during the dry and rainy seasons are very high. The contamination of vegetables can be explained by several factors, including chemicals used to prevent amaranth diseases, emissions from vehicles and motorcycles in fields located near major roads, and watering. Given the concentrations of toxic metals in pigweed leaves compared to the FAO/WHO limits, and the results of our risk calculations, excessive consumption of this vegetable may pose potential health risks to consumers.