Peripheral Retinal Degenerations in Kenyan African Myopes

Abstract

A total of 128 subjects (256 eyes) had their eyes examined under full mydriasis. Indirect Ophthalmoscopy was done in every subject to determine the presence or absence of peripheral retinal pre-degenerations and degenerations. The subjects consisted of volunteers and patients who attended the refraction clinics. The results were analysed according to age groups, degree of myopia and also considered was the frequency of distribution in various quadrants of the eye. The results were compared in association with retinal breaks and retinal detachments. A review of the retinal detachment operations done within the last ten years at the Kenyatta National Hospital, was done and a graph constructed to determine the decline or increase in the numbers seen every year. A significant incidence of pre-degenerations was noted, and there was a strong association between these degenerations and the retinal breaks and detachments seen during the period of the study. In conclusion, considering the ever increasing number of retinal detachments seen every year at the Kenyatta National Hospital, it is necessary that every ophthalmic surgeon becomes more conscious of peripheral retinal degenerations and treat them as necessary, in order to prevent some, of the retinal detachments that would otherwise arise from them •