Demographics, clinical presentation and risk factors of ocular surface squamous neoplasia at a tertiary hospital, South Africa

Abstract

Aims The aim of this study is to describe the demographic, presenting features and associated risk factors of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) at a tertiary eye hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods An interventional prospective study of patients presenting with conjunctival masses was conducted. An electronic questionnaire was completed to document demographic data, presenting history, and associated risk factors. A slit lamp examination and photos were used to document and describe the clinical features at presentation. Cases (OSSN) and controls (benign lesions) were determined by histology. Results There were 130 cases and 45 controls. Median age was 44 years (IQR: 35–51) with an equal gender distribution in cases. The prevalence of HIV in cases was 74% and was strongly associated with OSSN (p < 0.001). Vascularisation, leukoplakia and pigmentation were clinical features that distinguished cases from controls. A fibrovascular morphology was strongly associated with a benign histology (p < 0.001), whereas leukoplakic and gelatinous morphologies were associated with OSSN. Conjunctival intra-epithelial neoplasia made up 82% of cases. Conclusion Our study describes a sample of OSSN that is young and has no gender predisposition. The majority of cases presented with CIN lesions, rather than SCC reported in other African countries. HIV was the most significant risk factor in this study population.

Novel automated non-invasive detection of ocular surface squamous neoplasia using artificial intelligence

“…The incidence of invasive SCC varies from 0.02/100000 to 3.5/100000 population, and 75% of those affected are elderly, 75% are men and the lesion is limbal in 75% of the cases[ 7 ]. Low-income countries demonstrate the young, female demographic in OSSN prevalence, the higher-income demonstrate the older male demographic, with middle-income countries falling between the two with an intermediate age and no sex predilection[ 8 ]. In a recent study in India, the mean age at diagnosis was about 50 years[ 9 ].…”