Refractive Errors in Presbyopic Patients in Kano; Nigeria

"Background: The study is a retrospective review of the pattern of refractive errors in presbyopic patients seen in the eye clinic from January to December; 2009. Patients and Methods: The clinic refraction register was used to retrieve the case folders of all patients refracted during the review period. Information extracted includes patient's age; sex; and types of refractive error. Unaided and pin hole visual acuity was done with Snellen's or ""E"" Charts and near vision with Jaeger's chart in eng or Hausa. All patients had basic eye examination and streak retinoscopy at two third meter working distance. The final subjective refractive correction given to the patients was used to categorize the type of refractive error. Results: There were 5893 patients; 1584 had refractive error and 644 were presbyopic. There were 289 males and 355 females (M:F= 1:1.2). Presbyopia accounted for 10.9 of clinic attendance and 40 of patients with refractive error. Presbyopia was seen in 17 ; the remaining 83 required distance correction; astigmatism was seen in 41; hypermetropia 29 ; myopia 9 and aphakia 4 . Refractive error was commoner in females than males and the relationship was statistically significant (P-value = 0.017; P 0.05 considered significant). Conclusion: Presbyopia is common and most of the patients had other refractive errors. Full refraction is advised for all patients."

Pattern of diabetic retinopathy in Kano, Nigeria

BACKGROUND:The aim of the study is to determine the pattern of retinopathy seen in diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who were attending the diabetic clinic and who consented were examined over a three-month period. Information obtained includes patient's bio data, type and duration of disease, and findings on eye examination. The fundus was examined with direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes, +90 D with slit lamp and fundal photography. Retinopathy was graded using the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale (ICDRDSS). RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were examined during the study period. There were 88 males and 126 females (M: F = 1: 1.43). The mean age of the study population was 52.14 ± 13.23 years. The mean age of patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) was 49.14 ± 13.17 years and the mean age of patients with DR was 58.51 ± 10.94 years. Forty nine patients (23%) had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) while 165 patients (77%) had non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). There was statistically significant difference in presence of retinopathy in patients with IDDM compared to those with NIDDM [X(2) =29.77 {95% CI}, P=0.000]. DR was significantly more common in patients with disease duration of 15 years or more compared with those with disease duration of 14 years or less [X(2) = 65.85, {95% CI} P= 0.000]. Based on ICDRDSS scale, 136 patients (64%) had no retinopathy and 78 patients (36%) had retinopathy. Some patients were visually impaired and the cause of blindness was DR in 6 patients (2.8%). Cataract and glaucoma were the cause in 6 patients (2.8%).CONCLUSION:Diabetic retinopathy is common in our environment and is more frequent in IDDM and those with long disease duration. DR is a cause of visual disability although diabetic patients are not exempted from blindness from other eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. A screening program needs to be developed to facilitate early detection and prompt treatment