Background:To plan and implement appropriate management of patients with blindness and visual impairment (VI) requires the knowledge of the common presenting causes.Aim:The aim of the following study is to determine the common causes of VI in adults and develop a template for eye care delivery.Materials and Methods:A retrospective descriptive analysis of subjects aged 17 years and above who attended LAUTECH Teaching Hospital eye clinic between October 2012 and March 2013. Information on demographic data, visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examinations, and refraction were obtained from patients’ records. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16. 2, USA was used for descriptive analysis. Chi-square, P values and confidence intervals (CI) were derived for statistical significance.Results:A total of 617 cases were reviewed including 306/617 (49.6%) males and 311/617 (50.4%) females. The frequently occurring age-groups were the 51-60 year 120/617 (19.4%) and the 61-70 year 115/617 (18.6%). The common causes of blindness and VI were cataract 225/617 (36.5%, CI: 32.7-40.3), glaucoma 124/617 (20.1%, CI: 16.93-23.25), refractive errors 119/617 (19.3%, CI: 16.17-22.4); trauma and cornea opacities 14/617 (6.1%) each. Refractive error 6/176 (3.4%) was a significant cause of blindness in this study. χ2 = 33.68, P < 0.001. More females presented with refractive errors 79/311 (66.4%), while more males presented with trauma 32/306 (78.0%). χ2 = 186.47, P < 0.001.Conclusions:The common causes of VI are avoidable. Planning for best practice methods, purchase of equipment/instruments, consumables, drugs, and manpower development is required. Establishment of low-cost cataract surgical and refractive services could reduce their incidence.

PurposeA prospective study to examine the anterior segment of the eye in patients with diabetes mellitus.Materials and methodsThe anterior segments of the eyes of 181 patients with diabetes mellitus were examined. The commonest finding in the lids was warts, followed by poliosis and chalazia, and, in the conjunctiva, tortuous conjunctival vessels inferiorly (36.50%), pterygium (14.92%), and pingueculum (14.37%). Corneal sensitivity was reduced in 25 (13.80%) patients. Iris atrophy was the commonest finding in the iris. Dilatation of the pupil was delayed in 34 (18.79%) patients. Cataract was found in 119 (65.75%) patients. Forty-one (22.65%) patients had intraocular pressure greater than 21 mmHg. Seven (3.87%) patients, four (2.21%) patients, and one (0.55%) patient had seventh, third, and fourth palsy, respectively. No patient had sixth nerve palsy.ConclusionPrimary care physicians and other allied health care professionals who are first in contact with patients are enjoined to familiarize themselves with the anterior segment features of diabetes mellitus and take necessary action when they are detected.

Purpose: The commonest type of glaucoma called chronic open angle glaucoma is a silent disease and patients are usually diagnosed late in the disease. Public awareness programs must be actively done to enable a reduction of late detection of the disease and level of awareness must be assessed regularly to appraise the programs. The aim of this study was to assess the level of awareness of the people following the several annual glaucoma week programs we held in the state. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Osogbo local Government Area (LGA) over six months to assess the awareness of glaucoma following a five-year screening and public health education on glaucoma during the annual World glaucoma week in the state. The interviewer-assisted questionnaire was administered to 279 participants. Obtained data included demography such as age, sex, level of education, occupation, religion, state of origin, knowledge of glaucoma and its treatment, family history of glaucoma and so on. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Descriptive statistics was used to analyze demographic data, and cross-tabulations with chi-square were used in comparing variables. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: Two hundred and seventy-nine people were involved in the study. Many, 192 (68.8%) were aware of glaucoma. Thirty-nine participants (14.0%) had a family history of glaucoma and 63 (22.6%) felt the cause of glaucoma is an act of God. Two hundred and one (72.0%) had tertiary education. Tertiary education was found to be a statistically significant factor associated with glaucoma. Thirty-three (84.6%) of the 39 participants that had a positive family history of glaucoma were aware of glaucoma blindness. Out of participants that claimed to know how to treat glaucoma, eight (5.3%) felt it should be conservatively managed and nothing should be used. Conclusion: The World glaucoma week has yielded results but more efforts must be put in place to increase awareness and knowledge of the populace on the nature of glaucoma. Tertiary education is an important factor in glaucoma awareness. The government must ensure everyone is educated up to tertiary level. Glaucoma patients and their acquaintances may be used in increasing awareness.