Abstract
AbstractOphthalmological examination of 417 patients with onchocerciasis in southwestern Sudan, a woodland savannah region, showed that ocular disease is a major health problem in these patients. Visual acuity was severely impaired in approximately 6% of patients and was reduced to finger counting in some individuals as young as 16 years. Pathological changes seen in the cornea ranged from punctate opacification to more severe sclerosing keratitis; the punctate lesions were more common in juveniles than adults. These punctate lesions were often associated with degenerating microfilariae, and a hypothetical sequence of their development is presented. Posterior segment lesions varied from mild focal retinal pigment changes, visible as dots, to widespread chorioretinal atrophy. Optic atrophy and vascular sheathing were also seen and were found exclusively in adults. These ocular changes are consistent with the findings of workers in other endemic areas who attributed them to onchocerciasis. Additional changes seen in this study included dispersal of pigment in the anterior chamber, iritis with seclusion of the pupil, and cataracts.These findings are discussed in the light of current knowledge of the pathogenesis of the disease and the need for further research into its immunopathology.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
