Effectiveness of intra-operative Mitomycin-C in reducing the recurrence of pterygium in Irrua, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of intra-operative Mitomycin-C application after pterygium surgery in Irrua, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients who had pterygium excision with intra-operative application of 0.4mg/ml Mitomycin C between June 2002 and May 2007 and followed up for at least a year were reviewed. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty three eyes (196 patients) had pterygium excision with intra-operative application of 0.4mg/ml Mitomycin C over this period. Male to female ratio was 2:1. The mean age of the patients was 47.1years (SD+ 15.4) Eleven eyes had recurrence after a minimum follow up period of one year. Six (54.5%) out of the eleven eyes that had recurrence had conjunctival granuloma and in such cases recurrence was early (between 2 to 3 months of surgery). Conjunctival granuloma was the main complication occurring in 35 eyes (14.4%). Occurrence of granuloma was significantly associated with recurrence (P =0.0006). Delayed wound healing occurred in 5 eyes (2.1%). There was no case of either scleral or corneal melting. CONCLUSION: Intra-operative application of 0.4mg/ml Mitomycin C is very effective in reduction of recurrence of pterygium after excision. Hence patients should be given the benefit of intra-operative use of Mitomycin C during pterygium surgery.

Visual Impairment among Commercial Motorcyclists

Background: Normal vision is a universal requirement for safe riding of motorcycles. This study aims to determine the prevalence of visual impairment among commercial motorcyclists in Benin City; Nigeria. Method: This is a prospective cross sectional study carried out in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benin City. Each motorcycle park was taken as a cluster; and all motorcyclists in that park had structured questionnaires administered to them. One hundred and forty three commercial male motorcyclists in eleven motorcycle parks in Oredo LGA were subsequently examined with Snellen's chart or illiterate E chart as applicable. The main outcome measures eligibility for driver's licence on account of vision test as required by the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria. Results: Ninety eight point six percent (98.6) of those examined had acceptable driving vision requirement according to Federal Road Safety Corps. One point four percent (1.4) had subnormal visual acuity; while 5.3had refractive errors. Ocular pathologies were found in 11.5of the eyes examined. Conclusion: Most commercial motorcyclists may pass the Federal Road Safety Corps. However Colour vision and visual field testing may give a more reliable result

Prevalence of pterygium and pingueculum among motorcyclists in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the prevalence of pingueculum and pterygium among commercial motorcyclists in Benin City, Nigeria and to note any associated or risk factors. DESIGN: A prospective, cross sectional, case control study. SETTING: A local Government Area (Oredo) and University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. SUBJECTS: One hundred and forty four commercial male motorcyclists in motorcycle parks in the local Government area and a control group of 114 male indoor workers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of pterygium or pingueculum. RESULTS: One hundred and forty four male motorcyclists formed the subjects of this study. The age range was 18 to 65 years with a mean age of 34.9 +/- 8.0 years. The total number of motorcyclists with pingueculum was 37 with 26 bilateral cases, 63 eyes were involved. The prevalence rate was 25.7%. Pterygium was present in 18 patients including 12 bilateral cases making a total of 30 eyes. The prevalence rate was 12.5% The total number of indoor workers with pingueculum was 24 and it was present in 46 eyes. The prevalence rate was 21.05%. Pterygium was present in 12 eyes of nine persons in the control group and the prevalence rate was 7.9%. There was no association between the duration of work as a commercial motor cyclist and the presence of a pterygium or a pingueculum. The usage of a hat/cap was found to have a protective effect as motorcyclists who do not wear hats are more likely to develop pingueculum than those who wear them. The use of glasses and hats together was found to be protective against the development of pingueculum and pterygium in this study. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of 12.5% of pterygium and 25.7% of pingueculum in commercial motorcyclists in this study is quite high when compared with that of the controls. The wearing of face caps/hats was found to have a protective effect. They should be educated about the importance of wearing protective goggles and caps/brimmed hats.

Pattern of utilisation of eye care services in Benin City, Nigeria.

UNLABELLED: Eye care facilities in Nigeria are still not uniformly distributed. Benin City has more eye care health facilities than most other parts of the country. This is probably due to the privilege of having training schools for both Ophthalmologists Ophthalmic Nurses and Optometrists. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out with the aim of determining the pattern of utilisation of available eye care services in Benin City by the general public. METHODS: This is a cross sectional descriptive study in which 420 staff of ministries were randomly selected. With the aid of a self-administered questionnaire, we determined the previous use of eye care personnel for those who had had eye complaints in the past. The type of services they sought and the eye care personnel involved was documented RESULTS: Nearly 72% of respondents had received eye care services from professionals, that is ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. About 28% received treatment from sources that could be considered as inappropriate consisting of 14.1% that had self medication, 7.2% from patent medicine shops, 4.8% from traditional healers and 1.2% on advice from friends. CONCLUSION: Though a high percentage of respondents have received treatment for their eye ailments from appropriate professionals, an appreciable number still patronise inappropriate sources considering that the sampled population were privileged to have a minimum basic education .

Congenital anomalies of the eye and adnexae in Edo State, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Congenital ocular anomalies are the result of defective development of the ocular tissues during intrauterine life. The aim of this study was to increase awareness amongst Ophthalmologists and other healthcare providers on some cogenital ocular anomalies seen in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 5 cases presented in this study were cases seen during our routine clinics at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State. Informed consent was obtained from the patients regarding the study and the illustrative photographs displayed in the study. Case reports of various congenital anomalies involving the eye and adnexae in Edo State, Nigeria seen over a 1-year period are presented. RESULTS: The first 2 cases were cases of clinical anophthalmos/micophthalmos. The causative factor in one of them was presumably maternal drug (traditional medicine) ingestion for a period of 5 months during pregnancy. The others were cases of dermoid cyst, congenital lid eversion and congenital corneal opacities. CONCLUSION: The literature on congenital anomalies of the eye and adnexae is briefly reviewed.

Prevalence and causes of blindness in Otibhor Okhae Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: This hospital-based retrospective study was aimed at providing baseline information on the causes of blindness in the locality. METHODS: The case notes of all new patients attending the Eye Clinic of Otibhor Okhae Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, over a six-year period (January 1995-December 2000) were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Over 6% (555) of new patients seen during this period were uniocularly blind while 3.9% (354) were binocularly blind. The leading causes of uniocular blindness were cataract, open-angle glaucoma and corneal ulceration/leucoma. Binocular blindness was mainly due to cataract, open-angle glaucoma and aphakia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness in the study population is high. Cataract, as the main cause of blindness, will require surgical relief, either in the teaching hospital or preferably in the patient's locality. Appropriate interventions need to be evolved (in the form of either mobile clinics or a series of surgical eye camps) to stem the present trend toward high prevalence of avoidable blindness. Prevention of ocular trauma is an essential factor in the reduction of blindness in children. Health education and bringing ophthalmological care to the doorstep of underprivileged rural dwellers will improve their level of awareness.

Solar retinopathy in Benin City, Nigeria.

The case reports of three patients who were seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City with a diagnosis of solar maculopathy are presented. There was good visual recovery in two of the patients. This report shows the effect on the retina of direct sun gazing. The need to use protective filters is emphasized.

Total eversion of the upper eyelids in a newborn.

A case of bilateral congenital eversion of the lids in a newborn is presented. The baby presented at the Eye Clinic of Otibhor Okhae Teaching Hospital about four hours after a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Surgical correction was carried out one eye at a time with absorbable sutures. Recovery was uneventful and normal anatomical configuration was regained 8-10 days post operatively. The aim of this case report is to create awareness among workers in maternity homes, primary health centres and other health institutions about the existence of this congenital anomaly. Prompt referral to the Ophthalmologist is advised, as the condition is very amenable to treatment.