Congenital anomalies of the eye and adnexae in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Congenital ocular anomalies are the result of defective development of the ocular tissues during intrauterine life. The aim of this study was to increase awareness amongst Ophthalmologists and other healthcare providers on some cogenital ocular anomalies seen in clinical practice. The 5 cases presented in this study were cases seen during our routine clinics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State. Informed consent was obtained from the patients regarding the study and the illustrative photographs displayed in the study. Case reports of various congenital anomalies involving the eye and adnexae in Edo State, Nigeria seen over a 1-year period are presented. The first 2 cases were cases of clinical anophthalmos/micophthalmos. The causative factor in one of them was presumably maternal drug (traditional medicine) ingestion for a period of 5 months during pregnancy. The others were cases of dermoid cyst, congenital lid eversion and congenital corneal opacities. The literature on congenital anomalies of the eye and adnexae is briefly reviewed.