Pattern of eye diseases and awareness of diabetic eye complications among diabetics in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the pattern of eye disease among diabetics in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria

Materials and Methods: A total of 215 diabetic adults were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data at presentation which included type of diabetes and duration from diagnosis, medical and ocular history and ocular examination was obtained.

Results: There was a male: female ratio of 1:2. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.1±7.2 years (range 1 month to 41 years). A total of 208 (96.7%) of the patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Only 24 patients (11.2%) did not have formal education. The most common eye diseases observed were cataract 54 (12.6%), Mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy 47 (10.9%), glaucoma 37 (8.6%) and Age related macular degeneration 34 (7.9%). A total of 151(70.2%) had ocular diseases and 109 (50.7%) had diabetes related eye disease. A total of 346 eyes (80.5%) had normal best corrected visual acuity. The awareness of the ocular complications of diabetes mellitus was associated with the level of education (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Ocular diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and visual impairment among diabetics.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic eye complications