Pediatric ophthalmic indications for examination under anesthesia in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the ophthalmic indications and challenges for pediatric ocular examination under anesthesia (EUA).

Methods: The surgical register and patients' records of children who underwent EUA between 1990 and 2007 were examined to document patients' bio data, diagnoses and details of procedures and anesthesia.

Results: Thirty-nine children underwent EUA during the 18-year period. The indications included congenital glaucoma (20 cases, 21.3%) and congenital cataract (5 cases, 12.8%). There were two cases each (5.1%) of microphthalmia, megalocornea, and squint. A case each of other indications constituted the remaining 10.3%.

Conclusion: The commonest ophthalmic indication for EUA among children is congenital glaucoma. Most of the children (36, 92.3%) had inhalational anesthesia administered by anesthetists at great cost to their parents. We recommend the use of ketamine anesthesia administered by nonanesthetist with some training in anesthetic resuscitation procedure, for short pediatric procedure such as EUA in resource-challenged settings.