A Comparison Study of Conjunctiva Disorders in Technical and Administrative Sawmill Workers in Nigeria

Background: Workers in the sawmilling industry are at risk of various ocular hazards as a direct result of the sawmilling processes. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of conjunctival disorders between technical and administrative sawmill workers in Benin, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on sawmill workers in Benin, Nigeria, between January and May 2009, with the aid of pre-tested questionnaires. Ocular examination was performed on all subjects. Data obtained were recorded and analysed using SPSS version 13. Results: A total of 553 sawmill workers were studied, among whom 449 (81.2%) and 104 (18.8%) were technical and administrative workers, respectively. There were 496 (89.7%) males and 57 (10.3%) females. The age range was 15–80 years, with a mean of 38.9 years (SD 12.8). Pingueculum was found in 127 (23%) workers, among whom 122 (27.2%) were technical workers and 5 (4.8%) were administrative workers. Pterygium was present in 65 (11.8%) workers, among whom 64 (14.3%) were technical workers and 1 (1%) was an administrative worker. Seven (1.6%) technical workers used protective eyewear; 2 (0.4%) wore this protective eyewear regularly. Conclusion: Technical sawmill workers are at risk of developing conjunctival disorders, which result from chronic ocular irritation. This can be prevented by the provision of protective eye devices in the workplace.

Ocular disorders in adult leukemia patients in Nigeria

Leukemias may present with, or be associated with ocular disorders. To determine the rates of ophthalmic disorders in adult patients with leukemia. A prospective study of ocular disorders in adult patients with leukemia at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between July 2004 and June 2008 was conducted. The patients were interviewed and examined by the authors and the ocular findings were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Instat GraphPad [TM] v2.05a statistical package software. The means, standard deviation, and the Kruskal-Wallis non parametric test were performed. Forty-seven patients with leukemias were seen. Nineteen patients [40.4%] had CLL, 14[29.8%] had CML, 9[19.1%] had AML and 5 [10.6%] had ALL. Seven patients [14.9%] had ocular disorders due to leukemia. The ocular disorders due to the leukemia were proptosis in two patients [4.3%], retinopathy in one patient [2.1%], conjunctival infiltration in one patient [2.1%], periorbital edema in one patient [2.1%], retinal detachment in one patient [2.1%], and subconjunctival hemorrhage in one patient [2.1%]. There was no significant difference in rate of the ocular disorders in the various types of leukemia [Kruskal-Wallis KW= 4.019; corrected for ties. P=0.2595]. One patient [2.1%] was blind from bilateral exudative retinal detachment while 1 patient [2.1%] had monocular blindness from mature cataract. Ophthalmic disorders that are potentially blinding occur in leukemias. Ophthalmic evaluation is needed in these patients for early identification and treatment of blinding conditions

Vascular risk factors for open angle glaucoma in African eyes

The exact patho physiological mechanizm of optic nerve damage in glaucoma is not fully understood. To assess the vascular risk factors in open angle glaucoma in African eyes. Prospective multicenter hospital-based study in Edo State, Nigeria. Three hundred and twenty-two glaucoma patients and 184 control subjects were included in the study comprising 200 male glaucoma patients [62.11%] and 122 females [37.89%]. A cohort of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma and age and sex matched control subjects were included in this prospective, cross-sectional, and multicenter hospital-based study conducted during the period January-June 2008. Blood pressure [BP], pulse and intraocular pressure findings were recorded and mean BP, pulse and perfusion pressure for each eye calculated. Mean, standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals, Welch's t test, and Fisher's exact test were calculated. The mean IOP in the 644 eyes of the 322 glaucoma patients was 22.65 mmHg [SD plus/minus 11.06]. The systolic blood pressure [P < 0.0001], diastolic blood pressure [P < 0.0001], mean arterial blood pressure [P < 0.0001], pulse pressure [P < 0.01], systolic perfusion pressure [P < 0.01] were all significantly higher in glaucoma patients than in control. Higher systolic, diastolic, mean arterial BP and pulse pressure was found in Black African patients with open angle glaucoma

Ophthalmic disorders in adult lymphoma patients in Africa

Ocular manifestations of lymphoma are rare events. Most reports of ocular involvement in lymphoma are case reports or reports of a few patients. To determine the ophthalmic disorders in adult, African, lymphoma patients. A prospective study of ocular disorders in adult patients with lymphoma was conducted at the university of Benin Teahing Hosptial, Benin city, Nigeria, between July 2004 and June 2007. The patients were interviewed and examined by the authors and the ocular findings recorded. Data was analyzed on computer with the aid of the Instat GraphPad[TM] v2.05a statistical package software. The mean, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U-statistic and P value were calculated. A total of 111 patients, with hematological malignancies were seen over a period of three years of which 62 [55.85%] had lymphomas. Of these, 51 [82.3%] were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 11 [17.7%] were Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ocular disorders occurred in 16 patients [31.4%] with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and none of the patients with Hodgkin's' lymphoma [Mann-Whitney U-statistic is equal to 7.500, U'is equal to 161.50, P<0.0001]. The ocular disorders due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were seen as - proptosis in six patients [11.8%], retinopathies in three [5.9%], conjuctival infiltration in three [5.9%], optic atrophy in two [3.9%], keratoconjunctivitis in one [two per cent], desquamating nodular lid lesions in one [two per cent], papilloedema in one [two per cent], and upper lid mass in one [two per cent], desquamating nodular lid lesions in one [two per cent], papilloedema in one [two per cent], and upper lid mass in one [two per cent]. Four patients [6.5%] had monocular blindness. Ophthalmic disorders are relatively common in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Opthalmic evaluation is needed in these patients for early identification and treatment of potentially blinding conditions

Risk factors identification for ocular trauma in patients who presented in a suburban tertiary care hospital in Nigeria

To determine the risk factors, and the pattern of ocular trauma in Irrua, a sub-urban community in Edo State, Nigeria. A prospective study of all cases of ocular trauma seen in the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria from January to December 2005. The age, gender, occupation, activity at time of injury, use of protective eye wear, visual acuity, and findings on ocular examination were recorded. One hundred and eighty-two patients were seen during the period of study. There were 130 males [72.2%] and 52 females [28.8%], with a ratio of 2.5:1. Motorcycle-related road traffic accident was the most common cause of ocular injury occurring in 56 patients [30.8%], followed by assault in 40 patients [22%], and farming in 35 patients [19.2%]. The conjunctiva, lids, and cornea were the ocular structures mostly affected. Fifty one patients [28%] were blind in the affected eye, at presentation. Only 22 patients [12.1%] presented within 24 hours of injury. Motorcycle-related accidents were the most significant cause of ocular injury. The use of protective helmets with plastic covering over the face should be enforced. Measures to reduce physical assault in schools, and in the civil society should also be enforced. Farmers should be encouraged to wear protective goggles

Sudden onset of herpes zoster following chemotherapy for orbital lymphoma in a HIV positive patient

We report a 38-year-old HIV positive female, who developed an acute attack of herpes zoster HZ involving the mandibular, C2, C3, C4, T1, and T2 dermatomes, 9 days after the commencement of the first cycle of chemotherapy regimen for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma NHL. She had developed NHL of the ovary approximately 6 months earlier, followed by metastasis to the left orbit resulting in proptosis of the left eye. A combination of a positive HIV status, lymphoma, and chemotherapy can predispose a patient to an attack of HZ involving many dermatomes