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

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 [Nig. J. Ophthalmology Vol.10(1): 35-36

Ten year review of diabetic retinopathy at the Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is an important complication of diabetes mellitus, which may lead to blindness.Objective: The study is to analyze posterior segment lesions in Diabetes Mellitus patients seen in Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital in relation to the number, duration and severity.Methods: All the case files of Diabetes Mellitus patients seen during the period of study were retrieved and data extracted from them were analyzed. Such information included age, sex, duration of Diabetic Retinopathy and its severity.Results: A total of 84 case files were reviewed. There were 47 males and 37 females with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. No diabetic patient was seen in the age group 30 years and below. Fifty-five (65%) patients who presented themselves did so very late. Of the 35 patients found to have diabetic retinopathy at presentation, 16 had the disease bilaterally. The most common form of Diabetic Retinopathy was clinically significant macula oedema. The study shows that a high proportion of the patients (41.6%) had Diabetic Retinopathy.Conclusions: Patients with DM should be referred early for eye examinations. Physicians Residents should be made to rotate through eye Departments for a period of at least 2 weeks so they can learn fundoscopy. Diabetic patients should be educated on the eye complications that may arise from their condition. Regular eye screening with fundus camera and laser therapy should be part of the routine management of Diabetics in Nigeria as is done in advanced countries.Keywords: Diabetic Retinopathy, Routine Screening and Treatmen

Pattern of ocular morbidity among children seen in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: Children are peculiar beings and their eye care needs are different from that of adults. This is because a delay in treatment for some causes of childhood blindness can lead to amblyopia. Furthermore, the number of “blind years” resulting from childhood blindness is more than double the number of “blind years” attributable to adult cataract. Therefore, there is a level of urgency about managing eye diseases in children.Objective: This study was conducted to describe the pattern of ocular morbidity among children below 16 years of age seen at the Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital with a view to determine the most common causes of childhood ocular morbidity in this centre.Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of new patients below the age of 16 years who presented to the Guinness Eye Centre, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) between January, 2012 and June, 2013. Children with no eye disorder and those who defaulted from clinic with inconclusive diagnosis were excluded from the study.Results: A total of 4,253 new patients were seen over the eighteen months under review out of which 723 were analysed constituting 17% of all new patients seen in the clinic. The most frequently seen age group was 0-5 years (41.8%) with 74.3% of all the children presenting in their first decade of life. Refractive error (19.5%) was the most common ocular morbidity seen, followed by ocular trauma(13.1%), allergic conjunctivitis (11.1%) and cataract (10.9%).Conclusion: Refractive error, ocular trauma, allergic conjunctivitis and cataract were responsible for more than half of the ocular morbidities in this study. This information will help in prioritization of equipment acquisition for effective and efficient children eye care services in this centre in the face of limited resources.Keyword: Ocular Morbidity, Children Hospital, Nigeri

Prevalence And Pattern Of Refractive Errors In Secondary School Students In Lagos State, Nigeria: The Need For A National School Eye Health Screening Programme

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, types and distribution of refractive errors among public secondary students in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross -sectional study conducted from October 2005 to January 2007. Randomly selected students in 19 public secondary schools within the 6 education districts in Lagos State constituted the sample. The study in all the schools was preceded by ocular health education. Detailed ocular examination carried out included visual acuity measurements with multiple alphabetical Snellen's chart. Significant refractive error was defined as a visual acuity of 6/12 or worse, or any error correctable with spherical equivalent of at least -0.500DS or +2.00DS, according to the guidelines of Refractive Error Study in Children (RESC) Result: A total of 1,987 students which comprised of 1019 (51.3%) males and 968 (48.7%) females were examined. Their age range was 9-24years, mean age, 14.8 years (95% CI, 12.4-17.2). Using spherical equivalence (SE) of findings, 564 students accounting for 28.4% (95% CI, 26.4 – 30.4) had significant refractive errors. Myopia (SE of at least - 0.50 DS in one or both eyes) accounted for 26.2% (95% CI, 24.2 – 28.2) and hypermetropia, (SE of > + 2.00DS in either eye) constituted 2.2% (95% CI, 1.54 – 2.36). Most of the errors were of low degree and amblyopia was present in 16 participants (0.8%). One hundred and twenty seven students (6.4%) with significant refractive errors however had associated astigmatism. Forty five cases out of these (35.4%) were > 0.75DC. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of 28.4% for refractive errors in the study was higher than previous findings among secondary school  students in Nigeria. Although most students with low degree of myopia were asymptomatic, they are at high risk of further increase due to increasing near work and changes in diet associated with westernization. The need for a sustainable National School Eye HealthScreening Programme cannot be overemphasized. Keywords: Uncorrected Refractive Errors, Amblyopia, Screening, Secondary Schools

Prevalence and causes of low vision in Kosofe Local Government, south western Nigeria

Background: Low vision is a very important area in Ophthalmology, however, some Ophthalmologists and eye health  practitioners are not paying enogh attention to this area of ophthalmic practice. Hence, this determination of prevalence and causes of Low Vision in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, South Western Nigeria.Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of Low Vision in Kosofe Local Government in Nigerians over 16 years of age with a view to increase awareness of low vision and to provide data to facilitate the establishment of low vision services in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study where eligible subjects filled structured interviewer administered questionnaires, after which they underwent full ophthalmological examination including visual acuity and full refraction. Low vision was defined as best corrected visual acuity equal to/worse than 6/18 to light perception in the better eye. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 and a p value <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: Of the three hundred subjects examined, the female : male was 1.3:1 with the age range of 16 and 74years.Low vision was found in 31 (10.3%) Subjects. Cataract was the leading cause of low vision in 14 (45.16%) respondents, followed by glaucoma 8 (25.8%) and refractive errors 3 (9.68%). There was a statistically significant association between low vision and these risk factors -advanced age, low educational level, poor income and past ocular trauma (p<0.05), with ocular trauma having the strongest association with low vision.Conclusion: Low vision is prevalent in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State and the main causes are avoidable. There is a need for enlightenment to reduce the burden of low vision.Keywords: Low Vision; Prevalence; Causes; Lagos; South Western Nigeri