Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness worldwide. The associated loss of productivity and quality of life of the patients with diabetic retinopathy will lead to additional socioeconomic burden. This study aims to determine the level of awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross sectional study, was carried out at the Diabetic and Ophthalmology clinics of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from November 2011 to July 2012. A total of 365 patients had validated, semi-structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaires to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical information and awareness of diabetic retinopathy.Results: A total of 365 patients were enrolled, with age between 19 and 90 years, and a mean of 45.8 ± 16.3 years. The male to female ratio was 1: 2.2. Ninety-nine respondents (27.1%) had no education. The majority (30.4%) had only primary education; 21.1% had tertiary; 14.5% had secondary while 6.8% had Quranic education. The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 14.1 ± 13.09 years. Of the 365 patients with diabetes mellitus, 279(76.4%) had heard that diabetes mellitus affects the eyes, while 86 (23.6%) had not. Of those who had heard, 221(79.2%) heard it from health personnel, 45 (16.1%) from radio/television, 25(9.0%) from internet, 23 (8.2%) from books/newspapers, while 16 (5.7%) heard from other sources.Conclusion: There was a high level of awareness of diabetic retinopathy amongst the patients. However, the high level of awareness of the blinding complication of diabetes mellitus did not translate to a correspondingly high level of ocular examination for diabetic retinopathy.Keywords: Awareness, Diabetic retinopathy, Diabetes mellitus, Eye examinatio

Paediatric ocular and adnexa malformation in Birnin Kebbi, northwestern Nigeria

Objectives: Congenital eye and adnexa malformations although rare, are however a major challenge to health professionals in terms of diagnosis. There are also emotional, financial and stigmatization challenges experienced by the patients and their relatives. Appropriate management of these patients requires multidisciplinary approach. The study is to determine the pattern and presentation; and also create awareness among health workers and the public on the congenital eye/adnexal malformation.Methods: A 3-year retrospective review of all patients who presented at our hospital on account of congenital eye/adnexal malformations from 1st January 2011 through 31st December 2013 was done. Information on socio-demographics, laterality, type of malformation, presentation and Visual acuity were extracted from patients' folders. The data was analyzed by SPPS version 18.Results: 78 cases of congenital eye/adnexal malformations were recorded during the study period. There were equal numbers of males and females (39 each). Most of the patients were 1year and above (57.7%) at the time of diagnosis. Both eyes were involved in 54 (69%) patients and right eye were 17 (22%). The common congenital eye/adnexal defects identified were congenital ptosis 12 (15.4%), glaucoma 10 (12.8%) and esotropia 9 (11.5%). Majority of the mothers were between 21 and 25years of age (65.4%) as at the time of giving birth to these patients.Conclusion: Congenital ptosis and glaucoma were the commonest types of congenital eye/adnexal defects seen in this environment. These defects were important causes of poor vision and blindness. Parents/caregivers and health professionals awareness on examination, early presentation and treatment is highly required.Keywords: Congenital eye/adnexal malformations, paediatric, parent/caregive