We carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2020.

The sampling involved all patients who consulted during the study period and gave their consent to participate in the survey. Those who did not consent to participate in the study were excluded. Patient information was collected on a pre-established questionnaire and survey form through interview.

All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination based on the measurement of distance acuity assessed on the Snellen optotype scale, the state of the anterior segment and the posterior segment on slit lamp examination.

Without being exhaustive, the study took into account all ocular pathologies likely to cause inflammation, from the most common such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis, pterygium, styes to the most serious such as acute keratitis, uveitis, endophthalmitis, panophthalmitis.

The variables studied were age, sex, medical-surgical history, ophthalmological history, reason for consultation, ocular inflammatory pathology diagnosed, treatment method and evolution. Data entry, processing and analysis were done using Word and SPSS 25 software. Proportions were expressed in absolute or relative values.

This study examines the epidemiological characteristics of inflammatory eye diseases at the CHU-BSS of Kati. The absence of similar comparative studies and the non-exhaustiveness of the ocular pathologies causing inflammation found in this study could be its limitations. However, the results obtained deserve to be commented on to better understand this entity as a whole.

By analyzing 1159 patients with various inflammatory eye conditions out of 2111 new consultations, the study found an incidence rate of 54.90%, which represents a little more than half of the pathological entities diagnosed. This result sufficiently proves the importance and the prominent place occupied by inflammatory conditions in ophthalmological activities.

Age:

In this series, the most affected age group was 0 - 20 years with 41% (n = 475) followed by 21 - 40 years, 41 - 60 years and 61 years and over with respectively 28.1% (n = 326), 18.9% (n = 219) and 12% (n = 139). We have observed a regressive evolution of the frequency of inflammatory eye diseases with age. Older people would be more tempted to consult a specialist for a visual problem related to age-related ocular changes than for mild to moderate ocular inflammation against which therapeutic abstention or self-medication is often the rule in our countries.

Gender:

The female gender was more affected with 63.68% (n = 738) against 36.32% (n = 421) for men. Women would be more prone to eye inflammations, particularly related to the use of beauty products, culinary and household habits through the use of wood fire and African broom which respectively raise smoke and dust, a source of eye surface irritation.

Most of the patients received had no medical-surgical history, i.e. 99.4% (n = 1152). The medical history found was dominated by high blood pressure with 0.4% (n = 5) followed by diabetes with 0.1% (n = 1) and stroke with 0.1% (n = 1). The ophthalmological history found was dominated by eye trauma with 5.3% (n = 62) and cataract surgery with 2.3% (n = 27). These histories are perhaps underestimated because in practice they are not clearly defined by patients at the consultation.

The predominant symptom was pruritus with 57.8% (n = 670) followed by secretions with 22.6% (n = 262) and ocular pain with 13.6% (n = 157). These reasons for consultation are very often the components of an inflammatory ocular pathology to be sought by a rigorous clinical examination. Some can hide a more serious ocular pathology.

Pathologies of the adnexa, in particular allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, irritative conjunctivitis, pterygium dominated the morbidities observed with respectively 57.9% (n = 671), 23.4% (n = 271), 6.4% (n = 75), 5.9% (n = 68). They were followed by keratitis with 3.4% (n = 39). These results reflect the findings made in the current practice of ophthalmology. Indeed, inflammatory diseases of the ocular surface, generally benign, are more frequent than intraocular inflammations which can jeopardize the functional or even anatomical prognosis of the affected eye.

Medical treatment was successfully indicated in 99% (n = 1153) of cases. However, two cases of ocular blindness have been noted, their development having been marked by the anatomical loss of the affected eye. Properly conducted medical treatment would resolve most inflammatory ocular conditions. However, despite the therapeutic resources used, some may be punctuated in their development by blinding complications.