Spectrum Of Eye Diseases At The Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki Nigeria

Abstract

Objective To determine the pattern of eye disorders presenting at the eye clinic of EBSUTH, Abakaliki. Methodology: This is a prospective, descriptive, total population study. The sample size consists of all consecutive new patients seen at the eye clinic over a 7- month period. A proforma developed for the study was used to enter biodata, visual acuity and clinical diagnosis, for each patient. Data analysis was done using SPSS software package. Analysis was by means of simple tables showing frequencies, percentages and proportions. Relationship between socio-demographic variables and clinical diagnosis were tested using the chi squared statistic. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Result: Out of 781 new patients 381 were males (48.8%) and 400 were females (51.2%). Majority 557 (71.3%) had good vision (VA ≥ 6/18). The most frequent eye disorders were refractive errors/presbyopia (27.4%), allergic conjunctivitis (12.9%), cataract (12.4%), glaucoma (10.6%), pterygium (7.6%), eye trauma (4.7%), and infective conjunctivitis (3.4%). Conclusion Refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, cataract, glaucoma, pterygium and eye trauma were the top- six conditions noted. The spectrum of ocular disorders presenting at the eye clinic of EBSUTH is similar to the findings by other recent studies in Nigeria.

Key Words: Eye diseases, spectrum, Abakaliki