Spectrum of Eye Disorders Seen in a Pediatric Eye Clinic South East Nigeria

PURPOSE This study aims to determine the prevalence, pattern, and time of presentation for the ocular disorders seen among children attending a pediatric eye clinic in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review of all first-time patients at a pediatric eye clinic, within 2005-2007 was carried out. Data on cohort demographics, duration of illness before the presentation, and types of ocular disorders were collected and analyzed. Statistical significance was indicated by P < 0.05. RESULTS A total of 335 cases were reviewed, comprising 171 males and 164 females. The majority of children were in the 10-14 age group (31.94%). Allergies (40.72%) were the most common ocular disorder followed by refractive errors (22.16%), trauma (7.98%), and inflammation/infections (7.98%). Among others, ocular disorders seen in decreasing frequency were ocular motility imbalance (5.41%), tumors (1.28%), and ptosis (0.77%). Least common was juvenile glaucoma (0.51%). Majority (42.09%) presented more than 1 year after onset of illness while only 16.2% presented within 1 month of their illness. CONCLUSION Most common causes of ocular disorder in this study were allergy, refractive error, and trauma. Majority of the children presented late, and most of the disorders can result in visual impairment/blindness if not treated early. This emphasizes the need for appropriate health education to avert most cases of childhood blindness/visual impairment.