Pattern of ocular morbidity in Nigeria

The pattern of ocular diseases vary in different parts of the world and is influenced by racial, geographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors[1-4]. The common ocular diseases world wide are cataract, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, uveitis, refractive errors, pterygium. Other eye diseases include trachoma, onchocerciasis, xerophthalmia and ocular malignancies[3-5]. Five conditions: cataract, refractive errors/low vision, trachoma, onchocerciasis, and vitamin A deficiency/other causes of childhood blindness were determined to be responsible for 75% of all blindness worldwide[7]. These are treatable and preventable causes of blindness. Effective and cost efficient intervention strategies are available for each of these diseases. A joint initiative VISION 2020: the right to sight by the World Health Organisation and International Agency for Prevention of Blindness and its constituent members in collaboration with countries and international agencies involved in eye care have put in place strategies to facilitate the implementation of effective and efficient eye care services in all districts[5]. If this strategy is successfully implemented, blindness due to cataract, refractive errors, trachoma, Vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis and some due to diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma would be eliminated. The projected increase in global blindness to above 75 million by year 2020 could be reduced to approximately 24 million. The commonest eye diseases seen among patients attending ophthalmic outreach services in a rural area in Ethiopia were conjunctivitis, cataract, presbyopia, refractive errors and blepharitis. Edema et al. from Benin City reported refractive errors[1], conjunctivitis, cataract and glaucoma to be the common eye diseases seen in Benin. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of eye diseases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City and to compare the findings with previous studies in the same environment. It is hoped that this study will show the trend of ocular morbidities in our environment and help to provide basic data for planning and provision of adequate eye care services, appropriate treatment and intervention for these diseases. The case records of all consecutive patients seen at the eye clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, between July 2004 and June 2008 were retrieved. The demographic data such as age, sex, occupation of the patients were noted. The visual acuity and diagnosis of the patients were also retrieved from the case notes. The examination of the patients included visual acuity using Snellen’s chart, pen torch and slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement using applanation tonometer or the puls air tonometer. Fundoscopy with or without dilatation was also carried out. Refraction was done when indicated. The data was analysed using SPSS. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The total number of new patients seen during the study period was 7 220. There were 3 583 (49.6%) males and 3 637 (50.4%) females giving a male to female ratio of 1:1. The age range of the patients was 5 d to 96 years. Twenty two point six percent (22.6%) of the patients were below 20 years of age, 28% were aged between 20 and 40 years and 50.4% were above 41 years. The commonest eye disease was refractive