Browsing by Author "Jana, Dr. Walter Tulitwesa"

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    Ocular manifestations in edema
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 1988) Jana, Dr. Walter Tulitwesa
    The study was undertaken to determine the extent to wnich ocular manifestations oould be utilized to detect impending eclampsia. A total of 71 pregnant patients with severe E»P«H-gestosis and eclampsia were studied in six months period from 1st January to JOth June 1987. Of these, (42.257°) were cases with severe gestosis ft and 41 (57. 75%) were eclamptics. Many of them 43(60.50% were primi.gravidaes. They aged between 14 to 44 years with a preponderance of J1 (43.66%) between 15 to 19 years. Blurring of vision and musca volitantes were the only visual disturbances experienced by tnese patients. Visual acuity was normal in 135 (95.1%) eyes and tnose with subnormal vision 7 (4.9%) eyes improved to normal vision during postpartum period. Eyelid oedema and conjunctival chemosis together with other fundus features namely papilloedema and macular oedema were statistically significant in eclamptics. Retinal arteriolar narrowing and straightening was common in both cases of severe iS.P.H-gestosis and eclampsia Flame-shaped haemorrhages wers rare. There were no cases with cotton wool exudates. retinal detachment or blindness. The occurrance of retinal oedema, papilloedema, macula oedema, flame-shaped hasmoi'rhagea, cotton wool exudates and retinal detachment in a case of severe E.P.H gestosis suggest/shows transition to eclampsia, thus timely or immediate intervention of pregnancy is indicated.