Blindness and visual impairment in retinitis pigmentosa: a Cameroonian hospital-based study

Abstract

Aim:We performed a retrospective, analytical study in February 2010 on all retinitis pigmentosa cases seen during ophthalmologic consultation at the Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital of Yaounde between March 2002 and December 2009 (82 months). The aim of this research was to determine the significance of blindness and visual impairment associated with retinitis pigmentosa in Cameroon.Results:Forty cases were reported, corresponding to a hospital prevalence of 1.6/1000 (21 men and 19 women). The average age of the patients was 43.3 ± 18 years, ranging between 6 and 74 years. Bilateral blindness and low vision was noted in 30% and 27.5% of patients, respectively. The average age of patients with low vision was 40.38 ± 16.27 years and the average age of those with bilateral blindness was 51.08 ± 15.79 years. Retinitis pigmentosa was bilateral in all cases and isolated (without any eye or general additional disease) in 67.5% of cases.Conclusion:Visual impairment is common and becomes even more severe with aging. Patients should be screened to enable them to benefit from management focusing on both appropriate treatment and genetic counseling.

Clinical presentation and visual status of retinitis pigmentosa patients: a multicenter study in southwestern Nigeria

“…Reduction in vision was the leading (69.8%) symptom that prompted RP patients to seek medical consultation; this is similar to the previous reports 8,10. Reduction in vision was present in 85% and 90% of RP patients in previous hospital-based reports in Cameroon and Benin City, Nigeria, respectively 8,10.…”

“…The mean age of 39 years in this study is similar to the 36.7 years reported in a single center study from southern Nigeria8 and the 35.1 years in Japan 15. Eballe et al,10 however, reported a higher mean age of 43.3 years in a Cameroonian hospital; late presentation for eye care was the reason reported for the high mean age in that study. The age of onset usually denotes the age of initial symptoms of RP; it may be influenced by the pattern of utilization of existing eye care facility, as well as individual differences in the level of awareness of their eye problems 1,8,10.…”

“…Reduction in vision was present in 85% and 90% of RP patients in previous hospital-based reports in Cameroon and Benin City, Nigeria, respectively 8,10. These reports in Cameroon and Benin City Nigeria are much higher than the 69.8% obtained in our series.…”

“…Eballe et al,10 however, reported a higher mean age of 43.3 years in a Cameroonian hospital; late presentation for eye care was the reason reported for the high mean age in that study. The age of onset usually denotes the age of initial symptoms of RP; it may be influenced by the pattern of utilization of existing eye care facility, as well as individual differences in the level of awareness of their eye problems 1,8,10. The age of onset of symptoms remains an imprecise measure of RP severity because of variations in the awareness of individuals of their visual problems 1.…”

“…It evolves over several decades and final loss of central vision may not occur until the age of 60 years 1,9. Bilateral blindness of 30% and 50% in RP patients at presentation has been reported in single-center studies in sub-Saharan Africa 8,10. The typical variant of RP remains the most prevalent type globally; atypical RP and RP associated with systemic disorders do occur, although they are not as common as the typical variant 6,11…”