RESUMEN
To study the views of ophthalmologists on their attitude to and the resources for ophthalmic health research in Nigeria and draw appropriate policy implications. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 120 ophthalmologists and ophthalmic residents who were attending an annual congress in Nigeria. Data were collected on background information, importance attributed to research, motivation for conducting research, funding, ethical oversight, literature search, and statistical support. The coded responses were statistically analyzed. P<0.05 was statistically significant. Eighty-nine of the 120 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 74.2%. Research function was rated a distant last by 49.5% of the respondents after clinical service [93.2%], teaching [63.1%], and community service [62.8%]. Advancement of knowledge was the strongest motivating factor for conducting research [78.2%]. Securing funding [91.8%] and finding time [78.8%] were the major constraints. The ethical review committees were considered suboptimal by the respondents. Literature searches for research were conducted on the internet [79.3%] and was independent of age [P=0.465]. Research data were stored and analyzed on commonly available statistical software. Although study respondents regarded research highly, they were severely constrained in conducting research due to lack of access to funds and finding time away from the clinical workload. We recommend periodic [re]training on conducting good research including preparation of successful applications for research grants and allotting protected research time for ophthalmologists in Nigeria
RESUMEN
To study the views of ophthalmologists on research priorities and outcomes in Nigeria. Materials and Methods' A structured questionnaire was distributed to 120 ophthalmologists and ophthalmic residents who were attending an annual congress in Nigeria. The participants' background information, relative research priorities, frequency of publications, research types, publication media, challenges faced in publishing and impact on health practice or policy were collected. Eighty-nine [74.2%] of the 120 questionnaires were returned. Childhood blindness was given the highest priority for ophthalmic research by 42.9% of the respondents, and genetic studies had the least priority [19.8%]. About two
hirds of the respondents had either never been involved or only involved occasionally in any type of ophthalmic research. Clinical trials [13.1%] and basic science studies [12%] were the least-performed types of research. About 51% of the respondents indicated that they had never published in journals nor did so [occasionally]; only 9% quarterly and 43% published less than once a year. They also indicated that their research very rarely resulted in change of clinical practice or health policy [20%]. Research works conducted by respondents were largely simple low-budget ones that rarely had significant impacts and outcomes, including publication. There is a need to retrain and emphasize the importance of research during undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. Adequate resources and research infrastructure should be provided for ophthalmic research in Nigeria
RESUMEN
To evaluate the intraocular pressure [IOP] lowering efficacy of Garcinia kola 0.5% aqueous solution eye drops in patients with newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension [POAG/OH]. A randomized, double-masked, multicenter, active-controlled prospective study. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned in equal numbers to receive Timolol 0.5% eye drops as a control medication [A - Group 1 eyes] or Garcinia kola 0.5% eye drops as the study medication [B = Group 2 eyes]. All drops were instilled at 6 am and 6 pm daily. Goldman applanation tonometry was performed at 9 am, 12 pm and 3 pm at baseline, week-6, week-12 and week-24 visits. Voluntary and actively elicited reports of adverse events were documented. The mean change in IOP over 24 weeks was the primary outcome measure. Both groups were compared for statistically significant differences at all visits. AP< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 178 patients were randomly assigned to G. kola and Timolol groups. At baseline there were no differences in mean IOP between groups, based on age, sex, or diagnosis. At the end of the study period [24[th] week], the mean [ +/- SD] reduction in IOP was 12.93 +/- 2.3 mmHg [47.8% +/- 0.8% reduction] in G. Kola group and 13.09 +/- 2.8 mm Hg [48.2% +/- 1.03% reduction] in the Timolol group [P> 0.05]. Adverse events were mild in nature with no statistically significant differences between groups [P> 0.05]. Garcinia kola ophthalmic solution significantly reduces IOP as compared to baseline. The IOP lowering effect of both treatments was equivalent