Knowledge and Attitude of Commercial Drivers in Benin City towards Utilization of Eye Care Services

Background: An excellent vision is crucial in driving and many driving related injuries and fatalities have been associated with visual problems especially for commercial drivers. Visual efficiency plays an important role during driving. This study determined the knowledge and attitude of commercial drivers in Benin towards utilization of eye care services. Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 100 commercial drivers in Benin City metropolis. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire, among commercial drivers from 3 major parks in Benin City. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results:The results revealedthat majorityofcommercial drivers in Benin city had knowledge of which an eye care provider is (60%), as well as knowing the eye care providers closest to them. However, 75% of them do not see it necessary to utilize the eye care services. Results of this study will help eye care professionals to better advise commercial drivers, concerning their eye health.Conclusion: Findingsrevealed that commercial drivers had a good knowledge of whom eye care providers are but a poor level of utilization of eye care services that they provide (P< 0.05). The factors affecting the poor utilization of eye care services was not statistically significant.

Eye care utilization among older subjects with visual impairment in Northwest Ethiopia

Purpose: To find out the level of eye care service utilization and its determinants among the elderly visually impaired populations while visiting ophthalmic outreach locations in North Western Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: An ophthalmic outreach-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 852 visually impaired older people. Participants were selected by using a systematic random sampling method from January to July 2021. Data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and an ocular examination. The collected data were entered into the Epi Info 7, and analyzed using SPSS 20. A binary logistic regression was fitted. Results: A total of 821 participants, with a response rate of 96.5%, were included in the study. The utilization of eye care services within the past two years prior to the study was 21.1% (95 % CI: 18.2­23.9). Having systemic disease (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.5­7.0), being a spectacle wearer (AOR = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.0­9.4), having visual impairment at distance (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5­5.6), being blind (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5­5.6), duration of visual impairment ≤1 year (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3­4.9) were all significantly associated. Conclusion: In this study, utilization of eye care services was low. Being visually impaired at distance, being blind, recent onset of visual impairment, being a spectacle wearer, and having systemic disease were all related to the use of eye care services. The commonest barriers to utilization of eye care services were financial scarcity and long distances between eye care facilities.

Screening for eye diseases in a University community in Southwest Nigeria

Background ­ University, a subset of the general population, will expectedly have common ocular problems as prevalent in the population. Knowing these problems as done through screening and health education during WSD activities in 2017 thus raise awareness for their prevention. This study was aimed at determining the types of eye defects in a university community. Methodology ­ A descriptive cross-sectional survey utilizing purposive serial selection to examine inhabitants of a university community. Socio-demographic information and detailed ocular examinations were carried out. Data analysis using SPSS Version 20 and cross tabulations with statistical significance derived using paired sample t-test at p values < 0.05 were done. Results ­ With n=140, 79(56.4 %) were males. Mean age was 26.7 + 11.5years. Majority were staffs (77.1%) with 62.1% having tertiary education. Normal vision was reported in (92.9%), while 5.7% had visual impairment with 1.4% uniocular blindness. Common ocular findings were allergic conjunctivitis (12.9%), glaucoma suspects (10.0%), Pterygium (3.6%), glaucoma/corneal opacity (2.1% respectively), and optic atrophy (1.4%). Conclusion ­Disorders seen were mostly avoidable. Incorporating eye health services into University Healthcare will control their occurrence allowing optimal job performance.

A situational analysis of eye care services in Swaziland

Compared to other African countries, Swaziland performs the worst in terms of providing eye health care services. A priority goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to alleviate childhood blindness, particularly in low-income countries such as Swaziland, where many people live in poverty, which is a contributor to poor health outcomes. A mixed method approach that entailed a document review, key informant interviews and clinical facility assessment questionnaires was used. Hospitals and mission clinics offering ophthalmic services were identified through the website of the Ministry of Health and verified during key informant interviews. A saturated sampling procedure was applied due to the few facilities that offer eye care services. Six framework components from the WHO for analysing health systems were utilised in an eye health care service context: leadership and governance, eye health services, eye health workforce, eye health financing systems, eye health medical supplies and technologies, and eye health information systems. Poor management, lack of accountability, poor monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, weak coordination and ineffective private-public sector regulations were identified as factors that lead to poor eye care in the country. The optometrists indicated that refractive services are the most rendered ophthalmic services. The exodus of healthcare practitioners has contributed to the downfall of the public health sector in the country. Five government eye care facilities, 3 government hospitals, 1 non-governmental organization (NGO) and a church mission clinic were included in this analysis. The eye services distribution favors the more affluent areas, particularly the more urban Hhohho Region, which is also where most of the eye health professionals are located. No campaigns have been conducted to prevent childhood blinding diseases or create awareness about getting children's eyes tested for refractive correction. The burden of eye diseases among children in Swaziland remains unknown. More eye health care personnel and equipped facilities are needed throughout the country, and the eye health care program needs to be adopted

Quality of sleep and psychological distress in glaucoma

Background: People living with glaucoma are psychologically burdened because of the threat of visual loss. Therefore, understanding the psychosocial issues and quality of sleep holds important implications for the recognition, prevention, and treatment of emotional problems among people with glaucoma. This study investigated the quality of sleep and psychological distress among people with glaucoma.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults recruited over a period of 12 weeks from a glaucoma clinic of a Teaching Hospital in south-west Nigeria. The quality of sleep and psychological distress were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and General Health Questionnaire respectively.Results: Ninety-three adults with glaucoma participated in the study. The mean age was 62.33 ± 15.25 years. Fifty-seven (61.3%) of the subjects were poor sleepers while 27 (29.0%) were psychologically distressed. Psychological distress correlated with global sleep score (r = 0.399, p = 0.000), subjective sleep quality (r = 0.341, p = 0.001), sleep latency (r = 0.245, p = 0.018) and sleep disturbance (r = 0.279, p = 0.007).Conclusion: Psychological distress and sleep disturbances were common among patients with glaucoma. Concerns about these issues should be incorporated into routine clinical evaluations of patients with glaucoma

Eye Screening for Automobile Drivers: The Need to Make It Mandatory Eye Test among Automobile Drivers

Abstract:Objective:To determine ocular health status among automobile drivers in Birnin Kebbi.Methods:Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on automobile drivers' socio-demographiccharacteristics; visual conditions and challenges relevant to adequate visual functions. Also conductedwere eye tests including visual acuity; visual field; colour vision; subjective refraction; pen-light eye examination; funduscopy and applanation tonometry results:Forty-two male automobile drivers with a mean age of 41.7 SD 8.7. All had at least 3 years driving experience and thought eye test was at least necessary before driving. However; only 4 (9.5) ever had an eye test to obtain a driving license. Though;39 (92.9) engaged in daylight and night driving; 5 (11.9) had blurred vision to road side objects; one (2.4) had experienced transient visual obscurations driving and one (2.4) wore corrective eyeglasses while driving. None had difficulty recognizing shades of colours. Four had visual acuity worse than 6/12. Ocular conditions among the drivers' eyes include refractive errors 48;pinguecula 37; pterygium 17; glaucoma 4 and cataract 2. The commonest refractive error was presbyopia.Two drivers had glaucoma and 4 were glaucoma suspects. The care given included counselling 6 (8); prescription 11 (28); and referral for eye care 12 (48).Conclusion:Potentially vision impairing eye conditions exist among automobile drivers and pre-licensing eye test is poorly observed. The need to enforce eye test before the issuance and renewal of driving license is underscored

Ocular disorders in children in Zaria children's school

BACKGROUND:The main causes of blindness in children change over time. The prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in children were studied in northern Nigeria 6 years ago. This study like the previous one was a school eye health screening conducted in Zaria children school located at the centre of Zaria, a city in northern Nigeria.AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:to determine the current prevalence and pattern of eye diseases affecting school children in Zaria. This is to serve as a current template for planning eye care for children in Zaria and environs.MATERIALS AND METHODS:a cross sectional study of 327 children who completed a pre-designed school eye screening format was conducted. Consent was obtained from the school authority and the parents before the screening exercise. It involved assessment of visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examination and colour vision testing. Intraocular pressure measurement and refraction were done for those with indications.RESULT :A total of 327 children were examined, out of which 45.6% (n=149) were males and 54.4% (n=178) were females. M: F=1:1.2. Age range 5-17 yrs with mean of 9.6 ± 3.1(SD). The commonest causes of eye disorders were refractive errors 8.0% (n=26), allergic conjunctivitis 7.3 % (n=24), glaucoma suspects 3.7% (n=12) and colour deficiency 1.5%(n=5).CONCLUSION :The major causes of childhood eye disorders were uncorrected refractive errors and allergic conjunctivitis. The predominance of uncorrected refractive error is similar to what is obtainable in other parts of the world especially in the urban areas

Knowledge of Ocular Complications of HIV/AIDS among Hospital Workers in a Tertiary Institution

Since the commencement of the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy; there has been increase longevity among people living with HIV/AIDS ; a factor which was thought initially to be related to the low prevalence of its ocular complication in Sub-Saharan Africa. In fact some of its ocular signs have been identified as stigmata of HIV. It is therefore important that all health workers and not only eye care workers know about these eye complications. However there seems to be no study on the knowledge of health workers about ocular complications of HIV/AIDS. This study aimed at determining the knowledge of hospital workers in a tertiary institution in Western Nigeria about Ocular Complications of HIV/AIDS. The hospital workers excluding the eye care workers; administrative staff and security staff of Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital completed a structured self administered questionnaire. The interview covered demographics; cadre in health work; awareness of HIV/AIDS and its transmission; knowledge of its Ocular complications. Their responses were analysed using SPSS statistical package; version 11.0. 72.2knew that HIV/AIDS could affect the eye which is related to the status of health work (P= 0.00) .About 50of hospital workers do not know the part of the eye that HIV/AIDS could affect and another 52.5says it affect the eye only at the late stage. Knowledge about different eye complications was generally low. Only 28.6knew that it could present first as an eye problem. The knowledge of hospital workers about eye involvement in HIV/AIDS is low there is need to create awareness through regular workshops and seminars; which will in turn help to reduce ocular morbidity and mortality among the people living with HIV/AIDS

Pediatric Ocular Manifestations of HIV/AIDS in Makurdi Benue State; a Hyperendemic State in Nigeria

Benue State; Nigeria; currently has the highest seroprevalence nationwide. Data available from developed countries and the few available ones from the developing countries have all indicated that the pattern and prevalence of HIV-related ocular morbidity in the paediatric population is quite different from those that occur in the adult population.This study is aimed at ascertaining the pattern of ocular affectations of HIV-infected paediatric age group. A retrospective study of all the children aged 1-16 years; diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS who presented to the eye unit or were seen by Invitation for Consultation in other units of the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi between June 2002 to May 2006. A register was open in the Eye Department of Federal Medical Centre between June 2002 to May 2007. Extracted from this register were the bio-data of the patients; Ocular presentation; corrected Visual acuity and Ocular diagnosis of all Seropositive HIV/AIDS children reviewed. Of all the358 seropositive children; only 121 ( 33.8) had ocular affectations. . There were 206 (57.5) males 152 (42.5) females. The most common anterior segment lesions were conjunctival microangiopathy; non-purulent conjunctivitis; recurrent chalazion and external hordeolum. The most prevalent posterior segment ocular lesions were peri-vasculitis; toxoplasmal retinochoroiditis retinal haemorhages; and macular edema. In conclusion; posterior segment and neuro-ophthalmic complications of the HIV/AIDS were the major causes of ocular morbidity and visual impairment. Ocular assessment is of paramount importance for early detection and management of vision threatening complication of HIV/AIDS in children

Causes and Prevalence of Ocular Morbidity among Primary School Children in Ilorin; Nigeria

Objective: To determine the causes and prevalence of ocular morbidity among primary school children in Ilorin; Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey of primary school children in 10 randomly selected primary schools within Ilorin; Nigeria was carried out between July 2005 and January 2006. Relevant ocular history and basic ocular examinations were carried out on the children that were selected from a multi-stage sampling process. Results: One thousand three hundred and ninety three pupils were surveyed. There were 689 (49.4) boys and 704 (50.6) girls. The age range was between 4 and 15 years. The mean and modal ages were 10.16 SD 2.5 and 10 respectively. Two hundred and seventy seven pupils had ocular pathology giving a prevalence of 19.9. The two most common ocular disorders found among the pupils were refractive errors and vernal conjunctivitis with prevalence of 6.9and 6.7respectively. Others included genetic / congenital / developmental ocular disorders 39 (2.8); glaucoma / glaucoma suspect 20 (1.4); ocular infections 18 (1.3); and ocular trauma 11 (0.8). More than three-quarters (86.7) of the causes of visual impairment and blindness among the pupils were avoidable (preventable or treatable). Conclusion: The sheer magnitude of avoidable causes of visual impairment and blindness in the study underscores the need for effective school eye-health programmes in developing countries

Appropriateness of Ophthalmic Cases Presenting to a Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility: Implications for Service Delivery in a Developing Country

To assesswhether the ophthalmic cases presenting at aNigerian tertiary eye unit are appropriate for such level of care and also drawnecessary implications for service delivery. : Data on 1;321 consecutive new patients that presented at the ophthalmic clinic of the University of Teaching Hospital; Ilorin; Nigeria between February and July 2005 were reviewed on demographics; referral routes; and reasons for patronage; diagnoses and disease categories. Information on the general situation of health infrastructures prevailing at the surrounding health facilitieswas collected fromkey-informants. One thousand and ninety-one (82.6) presentedwithout any referral and 1;095 (82.9) patronized in order to access perceived good quality of eye care service being rendered. However; only a small proportion of their ailments (191; 14.5) actually required attention at the tertiary level of eye care. The key informants painted a picture of severely-challenged general and health infrastructures particularly at the primary health care facility level An overwhelming majority of ophthalmic patients directly accessed eye care at the tertiary level; even though most of their ailments could have been satisfactorily treated at the lower facilities of health care were the latter to be functioning optimally. A better coordinated and strengthened health care system; particularly at the primary and secondary health care facilities would ease the burden of inappropriate presentations on tertiary health facilities inNigeria

Pattern of Eye Disorders among Inmates of a Nigerian Prison

Aim:To determine the prevalence of eye disorders among the inmates of a Nigerian prison with a view to providing eye health care for the prisoners. Methods: A cross sectional survey of the ocular health status of the prisoners in a Nigerian prison was carried out using a pretested protocol designed for the study. Data was obtained on bio-data as well as anterior and posterior segment examinations. These were analyzed using EPI-INFO version 6.0. Results: Two hundred and sixty-nine (26.8) out of the 1005 prisoners examined had eye disorders. The commonest ocular problems noted were presbyopia (21.5); pterygium (19.3) refractive error (15.6) and allergic conjunctivitis (12.5). One inmate (0.1) was blind; 12 (1.2) had monocular blindness while 5(0.5) had low vision. Cataract was the commonest cause of monocular blindness and also the only cause of bilateral blindness. Conclusion: The prevalent eye diseases in the prison community are similar to the findings in the general population. There is a need to train the staff of the medical clinics in Nigerian prisons as integrated eye health workers to enable them meet the basic eye health needs of the prisoners

Ocular findings in children with severe clinical symptoms of homozygous sickle cell anaemia in Kaduna; Nigeria

Background: Sight-threatening retinopathy in Sickle Cell Disease is thought to be due mainly to vasoocclusion. Yet it is reportedly rarely found in children with Haemoglobin SS; (who most often suffer from vasoocclusion). However; earlier reports included patients with a wide range of clinical severity. Aim: To document ocular pathology in children with Haemoglobin SS with severe clinical disease. Methods: Thirty-seven children with severe clinical disease (at least 3 vaso-occlusive episodes in one year) had detailed ocular examinations over a one-year period. Results: No child (aged 3 to 13 years) had ocular symptoms. Visual acuity was abnormal in one child. Retinal pathology was found only in patients over 8 years. Neovascularization was observed in 3 eyes of 2 patients both of whom had higher than average irreversibly sickled cell counts and haemoglobin levels. Retinal and choroidal infarcts were found in 11 and 2 eyes respectively; sunburst lesions and salmon patch haemorrhages in 5 eyes each. Changes observed over the one-year period in the 32 survivors; were photocoagulation scars in one eye of a child who had undergone laser therapy and resolution of the salmon patch haemorrhages. Conclusion: Despite lack of visual symptoms; young children with haemoglobin SS with severe clinical symptoms can develop sight-threatening retinopathy. The possible role of autoinfarction in the causation of these lesions is discussed. Our study shows that routine yearly ophthalmological examinations are essential for children over 8 years