Er Abah

Ophthalmologic abnormalities among deaf students in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND The association between deafness and ocular problems is well established; however the nature and prevalence of these problems are diverse across the globe. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to determine the nature and prevalence of ophthalmologic abnormalities in deaf students and offer treatment to those with remediable conditions. METHOD Six hundred and twenty deaf students aged between 5 and 38 years were examined in a school for the deaf. RESULTS One hundred and thirty (20.9%) had some form of ophthalmologic abnormality. Some had anterior segment abnormalities such as corneal opacities (0.5%) and allergic conjunctivitis (3.4%) while others had posterior segment abnormalities like optic atrophy (0.3%), Waardenburg syndrome (0.6%) and Ushers syndrome (0.6%). Refractive error was the most common (7.9%). CONCLUSION Since these deaf students use their sight to compensate for the deafness, routine ophthalmologic examination should be carried out on them so that ophthalmologic abnormalities are detected early and treatment offered for remediable diseases.

Corneal ulcers in a tertiary hospital in Northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE To highlight the pattern of corneal ulcers at the Guinness Ophthalmic Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of case notes of patients who presented with corneal ulcer at the Guinness Ophthalmic Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital between January 1995 and December 2005. Information obtained include demographic data, presenting complaints, predisposing factors, microbiological diagnosis, use of orthodox or traditional medications before presentation, duration before presentation and, presenting and final visual acuity. RESULTS A total of 228 cases presented within the 10 years study period. There were 129 (56.6%) males and 99 (43.4%) females. The age range was 15 months to 66 years. The commonest presenting complaints was poor vision 109 (47.8%) followed by lacrimation 97 (42.5%) and ocular pains 96 (42.1%). The common predisposing factors were trauma 117 (51.3%), use of traditional eye medications 39 (17.1%), self medication with topical steroids 13 (5.7%) and measles 9 (4.0%). The presenting visual acuity was <6/60 in 49.8% of the patients, <6/18-6/60 in 23.4%, and 6/6-6/18 in 25.5% of the patients. At discharge, 45.6% had a visual acuity of 6/6-6/18, 27.2% had borderline vision (<6/18-6/60), 18.0% had severe visual impairment (<6/60), while 6.6% had no light perception. The commonest organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus in 19.7%, fungal hyphae in 15.8% and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 4.8%. CONCLUSION In this study most patients with corneal ulcer presented with poor vision and excessive lacrimation. Trauma was the commonest predisposing factor with bacterial organisms as the commonest isolate.

Eyelash extension use among female students in a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria: A study of kaduna polytechnic, Kaduna

Background: Eyelash extensions involve the attachment of synthetic eyelashes made of chemical fibers or other materials onto natural eyelashes. It has become common practice among Nigerian women for various reasons. Aim/Objectives: The aim is to assess eyelash extension use among students of a higher institution in Nigeria, the reasons for its use and related eye complications. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study using structured self-administered questionnaire. Stratified sampling technique was used. The key items in the questionnaire were sociodemographic variables, knowledge and use of eyelashes extension, reasons for the use of eyelashes extension and eye symptoms/complications experienced during such use. A total of 310questionnaires were completely and correctly filled. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 statistical package. Results: There were 310 respondents; the age range was 16–52 with a mean of 23.0 years ± 4.8. The prevalence of eyelash use was 38.7%. Beauty was the most common reason for lash extension 56.1% (n = 174). Others were curiosity, peer pressure, and replacement therapy. The most common complication was itching 45.8% (n = 142). Others were redness, pain, heavy eyelids, loss of lashes, casting of shadow in vision, tearing, burning sensation, foreign body sensation, and boils (stye) on the eyelid. Conclusion: Eyelash extension use is popular among young female students of higher institutions commonly for esthetic reasons (often because they desire to become more beautiful). Majority of them experience one ocular symptom or the other. Attention should, therefore, be paid to the potential health risk of the procedure and its use should be made much safer for our women.

Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of sexual dysfunction among psychiatric outpatients receiving common psychotropic medications in a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Sexual dysfunction is common in patients receiving psychotropic medications and may reduce their quality of life and medication adherence with resultant negative impact on treatment outcomes. OBJECTIVES In this study, we described the various types of sexual dysfunction among psychiatric outpatients receiving psychotropic medications and the sociodemographic and clinical correlates associated with it. SETTINGS AND DESIGN A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Northern Nigeria. METHODOLOGY The participants were made up of a consecutive sample of 255 outpatients attending psychiatric clinic from January to March 2014. Data were collected on sociodemographic items, patients clinical diagnosis, psychotropic medications received, and duration of treatment. Information about sexual functioning was obtained using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire for the male participants and the Female Sexual Function Index for the female participants. RESULTS The mean age of the patients studied was 34.7 years (standard deviation [SD] =5.9), with a mean duration of treatment of 3.8 (SD = 6.5) years. Males constituted 47.8% and patients with schizophrenia constituted 43.1%; other diagnoses include bipolar affective disorder, recurrent depressive disorder, and substance use disorder. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 64.3%. Age, employment status, and psychotropic medication use were significantly associated with sexual dysfunction; however, only employment status and psychotropic medication use significantly predicted sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among patients receiving psychotropic medication; as such inquiries about sexual function should be routinely carried out by clinicians as this may negatively impact on adherence and quality of life.

Changing trend in the causes of destructive eye surgery at Guinness Ophthalmic Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria

Background : With improvement in preventive medicine and advancement in the management of otherwise morbid eye conditions, the reasons for destructive eye surgeries have changed overtime. Objectives : This study aims at determining the current indications for destructive eye surgeries and compares these to the findings of a similar study done in the same unit two decades earlier. Materials and Methods : It is a retrospective study of 278 cases of destructive eye operations performed at the Guinness Ophthalmic Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Kaduna from January 1991 to December 2000. Results : They were 152 eviscerations, 67 enucleations, and 59 exenterations. Tumors were responsible for the majority of destructive eye operations in the unit (31%). This was followed closely by endophthalmitis/panophthalmitis (30%). Others were trauma (23%), corneal disease (8%) and painful blind eyes (7%). Conclusion : They were noticeable changes in the indications for destructive eye operations especially for some infective and nutritional causes which are largely preventable.

Management of a blinding orbital apex cyst in a 14-year-old girl.

This study was conducted to highlight the diagnostic and management challenges of orbital apex lesions. It is a retrospective report of a 14-year-old female who presented with no perception of light vision in her left eye following a 1-year history of left unilateral axial proptosis. Her computed tomography scan revealed a mass surrounding the optic nerve which was reported to be an optic nerve glioma. She had lateral orbitotomy and a cystic mass was dissected and excised. Systemic steroids and antibiotics were administered. Visual recovery was achieved in the immediate postoperative period. At discharge, her visual acuity was counting finger in the left eye. Visual recovery in the orbital apex lesions is possible if the patient is diagnosed early and managed promptly but delayed presentation and diagnostic challenges could lead to irreversible blindness.

Bacterial flora in precataract surgery patients in a Northern Nigerian hospital

Background: Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in most ophthalmic units. Endophthalmitis is still a dreaded complication and knowledge of the normal bacterial flora on the ocular surface and adnexae is paramount in the management of these cases. Aims and Objectives: To investigate the most frequently found ocular bacteria flora in patients scheduled for routine cataract surgery at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika Zaria, Northern Nigeria and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out between December 2010 and February 2012 in subjects scheduled to undergo routine cataract surgery. The lower conjunctival fornix was swabbed with a sterile swab. The samples were inoculated onto enriched and selective culture media. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the modified Kirby Bauer standardized disc-diffusion method. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: One hundred and fifty-seven eyes of 157 patients were sampled. The patients were between the ages of 16–96 years with a mean age of 58.8 ± 14.5 years. Positive bacterial culture was found in 35% (n = 55) of the patients. The predominant bacteria cultured was Staphylococcus epidermidis 49.1%. There was resistance to tetracycline (32.7%) and gentamycin (1.8%). All the isolates were sensitive to tobramycin and ciprofloxacin. A statistically significant relationship was found between age and culture status (P = 0.008). Conclusion: Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (S. epidermidis) was the most common commensal found in the conjunctival sacs of patients undergoing cataract surgery, and most of the isolates were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics.

Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Measurements in Normal Eyes in Zaria Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To determine the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements in normal eyes in Zaria and to investigate the effect of age and axial length on RNFL thickness. Materials and Methods Forty eyes of 40 healthy subjects aged between 18 and 73 underwent peripapillary RNFL thickness measurement by a series of three circular scans with a 3.4 mm diameter (Stratus optical coherence tomography, RNFL thickness 3.4 acquisition protocol). The mean RNFL values were correlated with age and axial length. The statistical analysis used was Pearson′s coefficient of correlation, linear regression, and paired t-test with the analyse-it® software for Excel. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 35 years, range18.0-73.0 years. Mean RNFL thickness global average was 107.055 μm standard deviation (SD 9.219 μm) with the RNFL in the superior quadrant being the thickest (mean: 139.0 mm SD 15.0 mm), there was no significant correlation with axial length in this study (P = 0.56) but there was a negative correlation between global RNFL average and age (r = -0.56 P = 0.0002). Conclusion: This study provides normative RNFL values for normal eyes in Zaria locality. It can be used as a reference for the normal measurements of RNFL in this environment. Age demonstrates a significant negative correlation with RNFL thickness.

Profile of ocular disorders among patients attending clinic at federal neuro psychiatric hospital Kaduna, Nigeria

Introduction: The practice of ophthalmology and psychiatry meet over several aspects of patient management such as diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. In addition, many of the drugs used in psychiatry may have some ocular side effects. This study assessed the profile of ocular disorder among patients attending the clinic at Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Kaduna. Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between May and August 2013 using interviewer administered questionnaire and eye screening protocol. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The male: female ratio was 1:1.1, age range of 18-69 years with mean age of 34.7 ± 5.9 years. Normal vision was recorded in 197 (77.2%), moderate visual impairment in 52 (20.4%), and severe visual impairment in 5 (2.0%). One (0.4%) was blind. Ocular disorders were seen in 139 (54.6%) and are as follows: Refractive errors/presbyopia 76 (29.8%); cataract 22 (8.6%); glaucoma 15 (5.9%); allergic conjunctivitis 15 (5.9%); optic neuritis 3 (1.2%), squint, and eye movement disorders 2 (0.8%) each; neurofibromatosis, color deficiency, ptosis, and macular scar 1 (0.4%) each. Average duration of treatment with psychotropics was 3 years. Conclusion: Majority had good vision. The predominant ocular disorders were refractive errors/presbyopia, cataract, glaucoma, and allergic conjunctivitis. Psychotropic drugs could be responsible for some.

The perception of senior hospital staff on the role of eye care providers in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Patients or their relations usually seek the opinion of hospital staff after self-treatment, patent medical vendors′ prescriptions or other first line treatment has failed. It is therefore, critical for them to have a fair idea of the role of different cadre of eye care providers to enable them offer appropriate help and referral. This study assessed the perception of senior hospital workers on the Role of Eye Care Providers in Zaria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered to each of 428 hospital staff in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria in July, 2013. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. Results: The study population (428) comprised of 177 nurses, 108 doctors, 85 administrative staff, 37 laboratory scientists, 10 pharmacists, and 11 health information officers. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1 while the age range was 20-59 years with a mean age of 33 ± 5.7 years. Three hundred and thirty-seven (78.7%) of the respondents were familiar with the role of the ophthalmologist and 309 (72.2%) with that of the ophthalmic nurse. About half of the respondents were familiar with the role of the other cadre of eye care providers: 222 (51.9%) understood the role of a Community Health Officer, 215 (50.2%) understood that of the optometrist and 214 (50.0%) understood the role of the optician. Conclusion: Senior hospital workers were quite familiar with the role of an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmic nurse, but they need to be educated more about the role of the other cadre of eye care providers.