Corneal and conjunctival abnormalities in a cohort of survivors from the Western African Ebola virus disease outbreak.

Purpose: To characterize corneal and conjunctival abnormalities (CCAs) and their impact on visual acuity in a cohort of survivors from the Western African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.

Design: A post hoc analysis of 121 patients, who had previously undergone screening for the Ebola Virus Persistence in Ocular Tissues and Fluids study, was performed.

Methods: Patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic exam at the Lowell and Ruth Gess Eye Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Long-term visual outcomes and histopathologic findings after cataract surgery in Ebola virus disease survivors in the Ebola virus RNA persistence in ocular tissues and fluids (EVICT) study.

Background/objectives: Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors develop post-acute ophthalmic sequelae, including a high prevalence of uveitis that may be complicated by vision-threatening cataract. After the non-detection of Ebola virus (EBOV) RNA in sampled ocular fluid, vision impairment due to cataract can be treated safely and effectively via manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). However, the long-term ocular visual outcomes and assessment of ocular tissues, including for genomic RNA, have been infrequently or not reported in Western African survivors.

Global Health Security in Vision Care: Health Systems Strengthening During Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Responses.

During the last decade, global health security has been threatened by major Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Western Africa (2014 to 2016) and in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (2018 to 2020). Particularly in Western Africa, the outbreak initially overwhelmed health care capacity in already fragile health systems. Thousands of survivors were at risk of newly recognized postacute ocular complications, and their need for urgent ophthalmic care challenged national vision health systems with scarce eye care services.

Establishing Vitreoretinal Surgery Capacity in Sierra Leone: Challenges and Opportunities to Address Retinal Health Disparities in Resource-limited Settings.

A range of challenges exists regarding vitreoretinal (VR) surgical services in resource-limited settings, including Sierra Leone. As a result, retinal pathologies may contribute to vision loss and blindness. In the wake of the 2013 to 2016 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, gaps in ophthalmic care were underscored as survivors were experiencing a constellation of sequelae, including uveitis and VR disease.

Clinical characteristics and aetiology of uveitis in a viral haemorrhagic fever zone.

Background/objectives: Studies on uveitis in Sierra Leone were conducted prior to the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2013-16, which was associated with uveitis in 20% of survivors. They did not include imaging or investigation of tuberculosis and used laboratory services outside the country. We performed a cross-sectional study on patients presenting with uveitis to establish their clinical characteristics and identify the impact of in-country laboratory diagnoses.

Childhood vision impairment and blindness in West Africa: public health measures and implications for systemic health.

Childhood blindness is an issue of global health impact, affecting approximately 2 million children worldwide. Vision 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals previously identified childhood blindness as a key issue in the twentieth century, and while public health measures are underway, the precise etiologies and management require ongoing investigation and care, particularly within resource-limited settings such as sub-Saharan Africa. We systematically reviewed the literature on childhood blindness in West Africa to identify the anatomic classification and etiologies, particularly those causes of childhood blindness with systemic health implications.

Clinical Characteristics and Aetiology of Uveitis in a Viral Haemorrhagic Fever Zone.

Background/objectives: Studies on uveitis in Sierra Leone were conducted prior to the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2013-16, which was associated with uveitis in 20% of survivors. They did not include imaging or investigation of tuberculosis and used laboratory services outside the country. We performed a cross-sectional study on patients presenting with uveitis to establish their clinical characteristics and identify the impact of in-country laboratory diagnoses.

Factors associated with adherence to treatment in patients with open angle glaucoma in Sierra Leone, West Africa: patient demographics and questionnaire.

Background: Glaucoma is a significant cause of blindness worldwide. It is more common, presents earlier and is more aggressive in those of African descent. Non-adherence and poor knowledge of glaucoma is a significant barrier to treatment and has been associated with low health literacy.