Intraocular Pressure in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Nigerian Women

A number of hormones are known to affect intraocular pressure. Of these, the female sex hormones are the predominant ones to cause variations in intraocular pressure. The aim of this study was to determine if variation in sex hormones in pregnancy affects intraocular pressure. This study was a longitudinal one. 117 pregnant women aged 20 to 35 years in their first trimester of pregnancy were followed longitudinally throughout the course of pregnancy, and six weeks post partum. One hundred non pregnant women with a regular menstrual cycle of 26-29 days were also recruited and examined for changes in intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure was measured with the handheld Kowa applanation tonometer. Mean Intraocular Pressure (MIOP) was 14.7 ± 2.2 mmHg, 13.2 ± 2.0 mmHg and 11.0 ± 1.3 mmHg in the three trimesters respectively. There was thus a fall in Intraocular Pressure during pregnancy and this was highly statistically significant (P<0.0001). At 6 weeks postpartum MIOP increased to 14.2 ± 1.8 mmHg. The difference between the mean values of Intraocular Pressure in the third trimester and 6 weeks postpartum was also statistically significant P<0.0001. Intraocular pressure decreased as pregnancy advanced. Postpartum, there was increase in intraocular pressure to near pre pregnant level. The difference in mean IOP between the pregnant and non pregnant women was statistically significant (P<0.05)

Oculo-visual status of newly employed workers in a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Background: Visual impairment due to ocular diseases is a significant public health problem in many parts of the world including Nigeria. Worldwide, more than one billion people suffer from poor vision because they do not have the eyeglasses they need. Uncorrected refractive errors are a major cause of global disability and drastically reduce productivity, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life. Data is scant on pre- employment visual screenings in Nigeria because not many companies or employers of labor set this as a requirement for job placement.Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the oculovisual findings of new workers seen at a tertiary eye clinic.Method: Descriptive study. Two thousand one hundred records of newly employed staff of the University of Benin, Nigeria, who were employed between November 2011 and August 2014 were reviewed. They were examined at the Optometry Clinic of the University. Of the 2100 case notes reviewed, 1203 (57.28%) were males and 897 (42.71%) were females. Age ranged from 23 to 65 years with a mean age of 43 ± 2.1 years.Results: Refractive errors 25% and presbyopia 42.1% were the main visual problems recorded. The most common refractive error was hyperopia 26.8%, followed by astigmatism 21.3% and myopia 9.6%. Ocular conditions that were common among the workers were conjuctivitis 36.6%, corneal disorders 25.2% and infection 21.1%.Conclusion: Mandatory routine eye test is advocated for new workers, especially those in establishment or companies were good vision is paramount to increased efficiency and productivity.Keywords: Vision, workers, employment, eyes, screening

Ocular changes in pregnant Nigerian women

Objective: Pregnancy results in a lot of hormonal changes in the body and the eyes are no exception. These ocular changes could be physiologic, pathologic or a modification of a pre-existing condition. The aim of this study was to determine physiologic ocular changes that are associated with pregnancy in healthy Nigerian women.Materials and Methods: A total of 100 women were followed longitudinally through out the course of their pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum. The women were recruited at 8 weeks of pregnancy at the anti-natal clinic in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. The women were aged between 20 and 35 years. Tests carried out included visual acuity, ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, and tonometry. The tests were carried out in each of the three trimesters of pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum.Results: There was a fall in intraocular pressure across the trimesters and this was very significant (P<0.0001). Postpartum, the intraocular pressure began to rise. The difference between the third trimester and post-partum values was also statistically significant (P< 0.0001). The difference in visual acuity through out the pregnancy was not significant (P= 0.8477). Although, there was a fall in refractive error across the different trimesters, it was not statistically significant (P=0.3). There was also no difference in the third trimester and the 6 weeks postpartum values of both visual acuity and refractive error.Conclusion: Ocular changes associated with pregnancy are transient and most tend to resolve postpartum, with values returning to near pre-pregnant state

Prevalence Of Visual Disorders In Deaf Children In Benin City

The most developed and most important of the special senses of the body is the sense of sight and hearing, both of which are predisposed to gradual impairment in the absence of the other. It has been shown that the occurrence of either visual impairment and deafness or hearing loss existing independently or co-existinghave potential complications inthephysicalwellbeingof anindividual child. Of the 86 students examined in this research, 34(39.53%) were males while 52(60.47%) were females. However, 63(73.26%) subjects of the total population studied had visual disorders. The Pearson Correlation coefficient result of -0.77 showed a negative association in the distribution between age and visual disorders. It is thus advocated that prompt attention and treatment be paid to visual abnormalities inthe hearing impaired child at an early age

Transient Refractive Changes In A Newly Diagnosed Diabetic-ACase Report

Hyperglycemia is the most frequently observed sign of diabetes and is considered the etiologic source of diabetes complication both in the body and in the eye. Changes in refraction are very common in diabetic patients and sometimes, it could be the first sign to the existence of the condition. Transient hyperopic changes are highly dependent on the magnitude of plasma glucose concentrations and rapid correction of hyperglycemia is strictly correlated with complete recovery of refraction. To account for this phenomenon, the sorbitol production via the polyol pathway with over hydrationof the lens has beenconsidered, aswell asachange inthe refractive index of the lens. Refractive corrections or alterations are to be discouraged until plasma glucose levels have normalized

Attitude and Beliefs of Nigerian Undergraduates to Spectacle Wear

Background: Uncorrected refractive error is a common cause of preventable visual impairment. Glasses are the cheapest and commonest form of correction of refractive errors. To achieve this, patients must exhibit good compliance to spectacle wear. Patients’ attitude and perception of glasses and eye health could affect compliance to spectacle wear.Objective: To determine the attitude and beliefs of Nigerian undergraduates to spectacle wear.Method: A cross sectional study of 500 undergraduates of the University of Benin, Nigeria. Age range was from 18 to 30 years, mean age 23 ± 2.7 years. There were 269 males and 231 females. Semi structured questionnaires were distributed to the participants and collected same day after completion.Results: Two-thirds (68%) of the total population studied had not heard of refractive error. About a third (38%) believed wearing eyeglasses was one of the methods used to correct refractive error. Half (50%) believed they would wear spectacles if prescribed with one by their doctor. Sixty-four percent believed eyeglasses are harmful to the eyes; and 65% did not know that eyeglasses could be used to relieve other forms of ocular discomfort like headache and tearing. Fifty-seven per cent of respondents saw people who wore eyeglasses as visually handicapped, while 60% believed that eyeglasses were meant for old people. Majority of the respondents (56%) believed that they would be teased if they wore glasses.Conclusion: Knowledge of refractive errors and acceptance of glasses for the correction of refractive errors among Nigerian undergraduates is not encouraging. Public enlightenment programs to promote benefits of wearing prescribed spectacles are needed.Keywords: Refractive error, glasses, spectacle, students, blindnes

Intraocular pressure and visual acuity across the phases of the menstrual cycle in Nigerian women

Context: Available literature suggests that the pattern of variation in intraocular pressure (IOP) in different phases of the menstrual cycle is inconsistent. Results from studies on the effects of oestrogen and progesterone alone or in combination, on IOP have been conflicting.Aim: To determine the pattern of changes in IOP and visual acuity during the different phases of the menstrual cycle in healthy Nigerian women.Method: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. One hundred women aged 20 to 35 years, with a regular 27-29 days cycle were examined during the follicular, ovulation and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Thewomen were examined for three consecutive cycles and mean values were computed.Results: Intraocular pressure decreased in the follicular phase and rose in the luteal phase. Mean IOP during the follicular phase was 16.7 ± 1.6 mmHg. At mid-cycle, IOP was 15.0 ± 1.7 mmHg and during the lutealphase, IOP was 16.0 ± 1.5 mmHg. The difference in mean IOP during the follicular phase and mid-cycle period was significant ( p<0.05). Also, the difference in mean IOP between ovulation and the luteal phase wassignificant (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in mean visual acuity values across the different phases of the menstrual cycle, (p>0.05).Conclusion: Intraocular pressure increases during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in normal female subjects, an effect that could relate to mildly impaired vision and non-compliance with contact lens wear.Keywords: Pressure, acuity, vision, follicular, luteal

Intraocular pressure and cataract among obese adults in Benin City

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide with increasing prevalence in adult and children. Authorities view it as the number one most serious public health problem of the 21st Century. It has been shown that obesity puts people at increased risk of at least four major blinding diseases. The risk of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma can be increased in individuals either through the presence of obesity related systemic diseases such as diabetes or directly due to a high body mass index (BMI) abnormal circumference or waist hip ratio. This study was a cross sectional study. The sample size consisted of a total of 80 subjects, 40 obese (BMI = 30kg/m2) and 40 lean (BMI < 30kg/m2), between the ages of 65 75 (mean age 64.20±2.25). The subjects were divided into two groups, group 1(the obese) and group 2 (the lean) which acted as control group. This study showed a positive correlation between BMI and IOP p<0.01. There was also a statistically significant correlation between BMI and the cup to disc (C/D) ratio p<0.01. There was no correlation between BMI and cataract among the population studied.Keywords: Obesity, Intraocular pressure, Cataract, Glaucoma