Intraocular Pressure and Onchocerciasis Infection in Liberia

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Abstract
A study has been made of the influence of onchocerciasis and of temporary intraocular presence of microfilariae on intraocular pressure. Comparative studies were undertaken on children and adults in areas of Liberia which were hyperendemic and non-endemic for onchocerciasis. The incidence of ocular pathology including glaucoma and blindness was significantly higher in the hyperendemic areas than in the nonendemic areas. Intraocular mobile microfilariae were seen in approximately 6% of the adults studied in the hyperendemic area and tissue analyses indicated that microfilariae were present in the skin of over 90% of individuals. The age-specific mean intraocular pressures in subjects living in the two areas showed no significant change with age. Thus, apart from these individuals with ocular pathology the length of exposure to onchocerciasis appeared to have little if any effect on intraocular pressure. However, small but significant pressure elevation was found in adolescents living in the hyperendemic areas. In addition, a severe form of open-angle glaucoma was found in young adults who had onchocerciasis.

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