Sonographic Findings in Posterior Segment of the Eye in Sudanese Adult Patients Examined with Cataract

Abstract

Background: cataract is remaining a health problem worldwide and is a leading cause of blindness. The majority of cases were reported in the developing countries. Ocular sonography is an important imaging method to evaluate abnormalities of the posterior segment of eyes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the ocular posterior segment abnormalities in Sudanese adult patients using ultrasound and to describe the different types of cataract and their association with age and gender. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study conducted in Al Walidain Eye Hospital in Khartoum State (Omdurman) from February to July 2017. Data collection sheet was designed to include a detailed history and demographic data. An ultrasound machine MEDA ultrasonic A/B scanner for ophthalmology Model ODM-2100S with probe 10 MHz was used to investigate the participants. Patients with known lesions in posterior segment and those who had a previous history of ocular surgery were removed from the study. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between qualitative variables. Results: A total of 102 known preoperative cases of cataracts were evaluated in either gender; 60 females and 42 males. The mean age was 61 ± 13.87 years. The incidence of cataract was more frequent in the age groups of 61–70 and 51–60 years than other age groups. The prevalence of significant types of cataracts was as follows: nuclear cataract 61.7%, secondary 21.57%, traumatic 12.75%, and posterior subcapsular 3.92%. Sonographic findings revealed a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) of 19.2% of the cases, vitreous hemorrhage of 0.98%, and complicated PVD of 1.96%. All types of cataracts were strongly associated with age (P < 0.001). Nuclear and secondary cataracts were more common in females (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Abnormalities of posterior segment are indicative features that should be evaluated by ultrasound before ocular surgery. Age and gender were significant factors for all types of cataracts. Ocular sonography is essential before cataract surgery.