African Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology

Issues Available About the Journal

Volume 10, No. 1, August, 2002
ISSN 0189-9171
ABSTRACTS

Analysis of Eye Disease in Private Practice

Adeoye A.O.

Department of surgery, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

SUMMARY

The pattern of eye disorders of 1,584 consecutive new patients presenting at a private hospital in a sub-urban area of South-western Nigeria was analysed. Nine hundred and twenty-seven were males (58.5%) and 657 females (41.5%); (25.8%) of patients were under 20 years of age, while (45.5%) were over 40 years. Common ocular presentations were refractive error (16.9%), allergic conjunctivitis (15.9%), trauma (12.0%) and glaucoma (7.3%). One hundred and fifty-eight patients (10.5%) were blind i.e visual acuity (VA) less than 3/60 in the better eye; 315 (21.0%) were unilaterally blind and 178 (11.9%) had low vision (VA,6/18 but .3/60). Eye care needs of patients presenting to private practice in suburban Nigerian town can be met by the provision of inexpensive optical correction, large volume cheap cataract surgery, health education and maintenance of peace.

KEY WORDS: Eye Disease, private practice, Nigeria, blindness

 

 

Intraocular Lens Implantation Surgery In Onitsha, Nigeria

Nwosu S.N.N. Onyekwe L.O.

Department of Ophthalmology, Nnamidi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus Nnewi, Nigeria

SUMMARY

Objective: to evaluate the outcome of cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation surgery at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, Nigeria.

Design: Retrospective cases series.

Main outcome Measures: Visual acuity; post-operative complications.

Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who had cataract extraction with intraocular lens implant between January 2001 at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha and follow up for at least 2 months post-surgery were studied. Information on age, sex, ocular and systemic co-morbidities; type of cataract; pre- and post-operative visual acuity and surgical complications were analyzed.

Results: 30 patients (41eyes) were studied; mean age – 66.1 years (range – 10-90 years); M:F = 1:1. Eleven patients (36.7%) had bilateral surgery. Follow up was 5-18 months. 35 eyes (85.4%) had senile cataract; traumatic cataract and couched eyes, 2 eyes each; post-uveitic cataract and secondary lens implant, 1 eye each. Systemic co-morbidities were diabetes melitus and hypertension, 6 patients each; cardiovascular disease (2 patients); arthritis and bronchitis (1 patient each).

Pre-operative acuity in all eyes was <6/36. At 2 months post-surgery, 24.3% had presenting acuity >6/18; 46.1% had corrected acuity >6/18; 16.9% had acuity >6/9. At the last visit, 43.6% and presenting acuity >6/18 or better, 75.4% had corrected acuity >6/18; 29.1% had corrected acuity >6/9. Optimal post-operative acuity occurred in 2-5 months; means – 3.5 months.

Surgical complications were recurrent uveitis, 20 eyes (48.8%) astigmatism, 14 eyes (34.1%); high intraocular pressure, 3 eyes (7.3%); posterior capsule opacity, 3 eyes (7.3%) posterior castle tear, 2 eyes (4.9%). Poor post-operative acuity were due to posterior capsule opacity and macular scar, 3 eyes each; leukoma, 2 eyes; diabetic retinopathy, 1 eye.

Conclusion: In spite of lacking some facilities for ocular microsurgery, cataract surgery with IOL implantation is safe and ensures better visual rehabilitation in Nigerians. Use of A-mode ultrasound scan, keratometer, YAG laser and newer lens designs will improve our results. But ophthalmic surgeons should promptly attend to such vision threatening complications as post-operative uveitis.

KEY WORDS: Cataract; intraocular lens; visual acuity; surgical complications.

 

 

Comparative Evaluation of Oculokinetic Perimetry and Henson CFS 2000 in Detecting Glaucomatous Field Detects.

Onakoya. A. O.

Ophthalmology Unit, Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine University of Lagos.

SUMMARY

OculoKinetic perimetry (OKP) is a visual field test developed for use in situations where conventional perimetry is not convenient or readily available. The test is inexpensive fully portable and simple to perform and can therefore supplement conventional perimeter in non-ophthalmic clinics, the community, by the bedsides and in the patient’s home. OKP uses controlled movements of the patient’s eye to position a static test stimulus in the visual field. The test chart consists of a white tangent screen with 26 numbered fixation points located eccentrically at strategic points in relation to a central black spot, which is the test stimulus. As the patient looks at each number in turn, the central stimulus automatically moves through corresponding points in the visual field.

Defects are recorded on a miniature chart by crossing out the numbers that are associated with the disappearance of the test stimulus. In this study we have shown that in 80 eyes of 43 glaucomatous patients, the test is efficient and reliable when compared with Henson CFS2000 field test. The results were comparable in 88.75% of the eyes and the specificity relatively high at 95%. OKP appears to be a useful tool for glaucoma screening in the community.

KEYWORDS: Oculokinetic Perimetry, Glaucoma, Screening, Henson CFS2002, Visual field.

 

 

Beliefs and Attitude to Eye Disease and Blindness in Rural Anambra State, Nigeria

Nwosu S.N.N.

Department of Ophthalmology, Nnamidi Azikiwe Unversity Hospital, Nnwei, Nigeria

SUMMARY

Objectives: To determine (a) the beliefs and knowledge of the eye diseases/blindness; (b) the actions taken to alleviate eye diseases/blindness; (c) the disposition towards optical aids and surgery among adults in rural Anambra State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: three villages in the onchocercal endemic area of Anambra States were randomly selected for ophthalmic surgery. The study instruments included using interviewer administered pre- tested structured questionnairie to obtain from all persons aged 20 and above, information on beliefs, knowledge and attitude to eye diseases/blindness, eyeglasses and eye surgery.

Results: The 954 persons interviewed thought eye diseases/blindness were caused by filariasis, germs, enemy poison, heredity, entering bad bush, evil spirit and swearing to false oath. Self-medication was common but ophthalmologist, chemists, general practitioners, opticians, nurses and herbalist wee also consulted. Unorthodox ocular preparations in common use were holy water, sugar solution, salt solution and herbs.

Most respondents (94.6%) would advise a relation with eye disease/blindness to go to hospital and kinsmen were likely to contribute to treat the blind (93.3%) and exclude him from tax and levies (58.7%). But recommending herbs, consulting herbalists and or seer and offering sacrifice to the gods were other options. While 830 (87.0%) persons would accept eyeglasses, only 570 (59.7%) would submit to eye surgery if necessary, 176 (18.4%) persons saw eye surgery as frightening and 82 (8.6%) viewed it as useless.

Conclusion: While the views and attitude of most respondents agree with modern scientific knowledge and approach to ophthalmic problems, a good proportion had negative attitude. The supportive role of kinsmen and close relation of the ophthalmic patients is conspicuous. These finding deserve serious consideration when planning eye health services for these and similar communities.

KEY WORDS: Beliefs; attitude; eye disease; blindness; Nigeria.

 

 

Indications for Enucleation of the Eyes of Children in Eastern Nigeria

*Ezegwui I. R., Ezepue U.F., Umeh R.E., **Onuigbo W.I.B.

*Dept. of Ophthalmology, UNTH, Enugu,

**Medical Foundation and Clinic, Enugu

SUMMARY

Objective: To determine the reason for enuleation of the eyes among children in eastern Nigeria as this should serve as a guide for initiating appropriate prevention measures where possible.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of records of enucleated eyes from children aged 15 years or less received in a central laboratory service situation in Enugu, eastern Nigeria, over a 29-year period (20/2/70-19/2/99) was undertaken.

Results: A total of 82 enucleated eyes were received. Retinoblastoma accounted for 36 (56.1%) enucleations, both sex being equally affected. Avoidable ocular problems resulting in enucleations such as panophthalmitis, endopphthalmitis, some staphyloma and others were noted in as high as 42.7% Trauma, measles and corneal ulcers of unknown aetiology preceded most of these.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of enucleation among children in eastern Nigeria is due to avoidable causes, Health education and other positive measures to reduce the incidence of avoidable enucleations are advocated.

KEY WORDS: Eye Enucleations, Children, retinoblastoma, Avoidable Enucleations

 

 

Sympathetic Ophthalmitis in Nigerians - Case Reports

Samaila E. and Olali C. A

Department of Ophthalmology (Guinness Eye Clinic) Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital P.M.B. 2016, Kaduna. Nigeria

SUMMARY:

We describe two cases of sympathetic uveitis in two Nigerian patients. The first case occurred after a penetrating injury while the second was after surgery in a painful blind eye. The aetiopathogenesis as well as the management of the condition in Nigeria are discussed.

KEY WORDS: Sympathetic Ophthalmitis (Uveitis), Management, Nigeria

 

 

Carcinoma of the Breast with Orbital Metastasis in a Young Nigerian - A case Report

*Ashaye A. O., Osuntokun O.

*Department of Ophthalmology University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.

SUMMARY

Orbital metastasis is rarely the first sign of a malignant process. Most cases of metastatcis orbital tumours are diagnosed in patients with known primaries elsewhere.

The patient presented is one of the unusual cases of breast carcinoma in a young person. Her primary presentation to the eye clinic with “orbital inflammatory disease” (which turned out to be a metastasis into the orbit) prior to the diagnosis of the primary disease makes her even more unusual. All cases of “inflammatory orbital disease” require a full and thorough physical examination.

KEY WORDS: Breast Cancer, Young, Meratasis.

 

 

Waardenburg’s Syndrome in a Nigerian Family

Onabolu O.O

Dept of Ophthalmology, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences,  OSUTH, Sagamu.

SUMMARY:

Waardenburg’s Syndrome {WS} is described in two girls of a Nigerian family. Both girls presented with white forelock, heterochromia irides and sensorineural deafness. WS is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene with variable penetrance and phenotypic expression. It is divided into four clinical sub types according to mutations in the genes responsible for melanocyte proliferation and differentiation. There is no history suggestive of Waardenburgs syndrome in this family. The wide difference between the ages of the father and the mother {30years}, and the old age of the father {65 years} is believed to be responsible for a new mutant gene in the family. Deafness, which is the most disabling feature of this syndrome should be identified early to prepare the child for proper education.

KEY WORDS: Waardenburg’s Syndrome, genetic mutation, deafness.

 

 

Urinary Excretion of Renal Stone Following Prolonged Acetazolamide Therapy: A Case Report

Onakoya A. C. and Adefule- Ositelu A.O.

Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

SUMMARY:

This article reports a case of urinary excretion of renal stone following prolonged acetazolamide therapy in otherwise healthy patient with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG).

KEYWORDS: Acetazolamide, POAG, Renal stone

 

 

Initial Experience with the Utility of Infrared Diode Laser in Kaduna, Nigeria

Mahmoud A.O., Kyari F., Ologunsua Y.

National Eye Centre, P.M.B. 2267, Kaduna, Nigeria

SUMMARY

Our initial clinical experience with the use of a diode laser in the treatment of some retinovascular conditions and refractory glaucoma in some black patients in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Methods: All the 32 eyes of 26 patients treated with diode laser photocoagulation between September 1997 and September 1999, were studied retrospectively. Patient’s eye, sex, eye diagnosis. laser treatment parameters and the intra-operative and post-operative observations were tabulated.

Results: All patients tolerated the laser treatment sessions, although complaints of pain were universal. The follow up observation period ranged from none to one year in this initial study. Eight of 6 patients were treated for proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. Regression of sea fans was observed in all the four eyes (100%) of three patients that were available for follow-up observation. However, a fresh sea-fan neo-vascularisation developed elsewhere in the same retina of one of the treated eyes. Of the 12 eyes of 9 patients with diabetic retinopathy, 6 patients (8eyes) were available for follow up.

Among the later group, all eyes but one (87.5%) had their retinopathy changes stabilised following laser treatment. Two patients with central retina vein occlusion were treated. The only one that was available for follow up was stabilized following treatment. Of the 3 eyes (3 patients) that had retinopexy for flat retina breaks, 2 reported for follow up. Both retina remained attached.

All the 6 patients (7 eyes) with refractory glaucoma who contact diode laser treatment did not have the initial reduction in the intra-ocular pressures sustained subsequently.

Conclusion: Diode laser has been found to be useful in treating a number of retinovascular conditions among the black patients studied. Its initial intra-ocular pressure lowering effect was not sustained in refractory glaucoma. However, the small pool of patients and the limited period of follow up examination in this study call for caution with these conclusion.

KEY WORDS: Diode laser treatment, sickle cell retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, retinopexy refractory glaucoma