Histopathological pattern of Orbito-Ocular Lesions, a retrospective hospital-based study spanning 15 years

Background: Many previous studies on orbito-ocular lesions are skewed in favour of the neoplastic lesions in general and the malignant lesions in particular. This, therefore, creates a vacuum on the spectrum of these lesions, thus may result in problematic diagnostic bias by the ophthalmologist and pathologist. Objective: To give the spectrum and relative frequencies of orbito-ocular biopsies and by extension orbito-ocular lesions/diseases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of all cases of orbito-ocular biopsies with histopathologic diagnosis. Results: There were 236 orbito-ocular biopsies. The male to female ratio was slightly in favour of the females. Orbito-ocular biopsies had a wide age range that spanned from the 1st to 10th decade, mean age in the 3rd decade (20-29years) and a peak age in the 1st decade (0-9 years). The neoplastic lesions were the prevalent indication for orbito-ocular biopsies (63.72%) while the conjunctiva (58.10%) was the most common site for orbito-ocular biopsies. Conclusion: This study noted a wide array of orbito-ocular lesions for which biopsies were done for histopathological diagnosis. This we hope will in no small measure increase the diagnostic precision of the ophthalmologist and the pathologists in our own environment

Awareness and Knowledge of Glaucoma among Health Workers in Butajira General Hospital, South Ethiopia

Raising awareness and knowledge of glaucoma is a key means of enhancing people alertness, increasing regular eye screening practice, and the chance of identifying undetected cases. Health professionals other than ophthalmologists are often the first point of contact when patients seek medical advice. However, little is known about the awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among health care professionals in Ethiopia.The objective of this study was to determine general awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among health workers in Butajira General Hospital. METHODS: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Butajira Hospital in September and October 2021 among health care providers. All health workers except those on leave and the staff in the department of Ophthalmology were included in the study. The awareness and knowledge were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed to describe the study variable, and logistic regression was conducted to see associations between dependent and independent variables. Significant associations were declared at p-values <0.05. RESULT: This study showed that 184 (91.1%) had an awareness of glaucoma among the study participants, whereas 8.9% had never heard about glaucoma. Of those who were aware, only 42% have good knowledge. Professionals who had a history of eye examinations and family history of glaucoma were about 3.0 times more likely to have good knowledge. CONCLUSION: Fifty-eight percent of clinical professionals from Butajira Hospital had no awareness at all or had poor knowledge about glaucoma. Being a physician, history of eye examinations, and having a family history of glaucoma were factors related to glaucoma knowledge

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Virus among ophthalmologists in Nigeria: Knowledge, attitude, and perceptions

Background: Globally, there is still much to learn about the evolving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus, its transmission, prevention, and treatment. Therefore, this study investigates the knowledge, perception, and screening practices of COVID-19 infection in the ophthalmology practice in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This survey was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey conducted among practising ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists in training in Nigeria in an online survey. Data compiled were then analyzed using the IBM SPSS software version 22.0 with two-tailed P < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 206 ophthalmologists/ophthalmologists in training were recruited for this study. Most of the respondents, 97 (47.1%), practiced in centres in South-West Nigeria and were board-certified ophthalmologists 96 (46.6%). In general, the majority of the respondents, 182 (88.3%), had good knowledge regarding the COVID-19 virus, its transmission, prevention as it regards the ophthalmic practice, 134 (74.8%) either agreed or strongly agreed that the ophthalmologist is at a higher risk of contracting the virus from infected patients even if the patient is asymptomatic. COVID-19 infection was perceived as very serious by the majority of the respondents, 135 (65.5%), although 128 (62.1%) felt that all routine cases should be seen only following a low-risk assessment. Conclusion: As the world races toward complete vaccination of the population against this fatal infection, continued training is required to ensure the best practices among ophthalmologists to bridge the present knowledge gaps, corrects myths, misconceptions, and ensure the safety of both the patient and the ophthalmologist.

Practice of trabeculectomy by ophthalmologists in Nigeria

Aim: To assess the practice of trabeculectomy among ophthalmologists in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which structured, self- administered questionnaires were distributed to 80 consenting ophthalmologists present during the 2010 annual scientific session of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria. All consenting ophthalmologists treat glaucoma patients. Information obtained were demographic characteristics, glaucoma outpatient load, number of trabeculectomies performed in the preceding 1 year and during residency training, and factors influencing trabeculectomy practice. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science version 16.0. Relationships between variables were tested using the Χ2 test for statistical significance. Results: Sixty-five of the 80 consenting ophthalmologists responded to the questionnaires (81.3% response rate); 32 (53.3%) were females and 28 (46.7%) were males (5 non-responders). Ages ranged from 30 to 60 years with a mean of 44 years ± SD 7.7. Only 36 (57.1%) performed trabeculectomy in the 1 year preceding the study. There was an overall trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month. Of the 15 respondents who performed more than 15 trabeculectomies during residency, 14 (93.3%) also performed the surgery in the year preceding this study (P = 0.001). The main limitation to the practice of the procedure was patients' unwillingness to accept surgery, as identified by 50 (89.3%) respondents. Conclusions: A low trabeculectomy rate of 0.9/ophthalmologist/month was found in this study. It was significantly associated with insufficient exposure to the surgery during residency training and patients' poor acceptance of the surgery