ABSTRACT
One hundred and sixty-five pregnant Nigerian women attending the antenatal clinic of LAUTECH teaching hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria between January and April 2014 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were obtained. Respondents were also asked: if they had had their eye examined by an eye specialist during the index pregnancy, frequencies of visit to eye care centers and indications for their visitation. A history of previous eye examination by eye care specialist/visit to eye clinic was considered as eye care utilisation. Selection of eligible subjects who consented to participate in the study was done using simple random technique. Logistic regression model was used to control sociodemographic and obstetric factors in order to determine independent covariate factor influencing the use of eye care services. Among the population studied, only 46 (32%) had eye examination during the index pregnancy. Level of education and occupational status of the respondents were found to be statistically significant factors (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). There is a need for a policy that will encourage regular eye care services usage during pregnancy.
Subject(s)
Ophthalmology/statistics & numerical data , Optometry/statistics & numerical data , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Pregnant Women , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Employment , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Nigeria , Ophthalmology/methods , Optometry/methods , Pregnancy , Prenatal Care/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
Pregnancy related ocular changes are diverse with varied clinical outcome. In a cross-sectional, descriptive case control study, we evaluated tear film functions and intraocular pressure during pregnancy and compared the results with non-pregnant women. A total of 270 participants including 165 healthy pregnant women and 105 non-pregnant who were free from systemic and pre-pregnancy eye diseases were investigated. Snellen's chart, fluorescein dye, No 41 Whatman filter paper, Perkin's tonometer were employed to assess visual acuity, tear break up time (TBUT), Schirmer's test (ST), intraocular pressure (IOP) on all subjects. The mean values for IOP (mmHg), TBUT (seconds) and Schirmer's reading (mm) were: 13.24 ± 2.18, 25.05 ± 9.30, 37.03 ± 17.06 and 14.24 ± 2.66, 22.10 ± 10.81, 50.13 ± 19.10 for cases and controls respectively. Schirmer's reading (SR) was significantly lower among pregnant women. Only age had a statistically significant association with the measured parameters. Our study revealed reduced SR during pregnancy. We suggest routine ocular assessment for pregnant women to forestall deleterious sequelae of dry eye.
