| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2006 | Volume
: 11
| Issue : 1 | Page : 30-35 |
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Cataract treatment: Must we remain blind to couching?
Ike O Okoye
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
FMCOphth, FICS Ike O Okoye
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 01129, Enugu
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Aim: To highlight the persistence of couching as a treatment for cataract in our community and its attendant complications.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective study, using hospital records of 9 patients who had undergone couching and presented at the eye clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu between November 2004 and April 2005. Information was obtained on the following: - Biodata, period between couching and presentation, type of coucher patronized, reasons for undergoing couching, presenting complaints, visual acuity status on presentation and after treatment, and complications following couching.
Results: Eight eyes (80%) out of the ten eyes in these 9 patients were noted to be blind, on presentation at our centre. The commonest complication was lens dislocation into the anterior chamber with vitreous in the anterior chamber.
Conclusion: Couching as a treatment for cataract is potentially dangerous and remains a significant cause of low vision and blindness in our community, if the practice is left unchecked.
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