Ocular Morbidity in the Elderly Population of Nyanya, Abuja, Nigeria
Onwukwe, N.A. & Okafor, P. C.
Department of Optometry
Madonna University, Nigeria
Email: kaakaamain@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT:
This is a cross-sectional study involving 308 elderly participants, aimed at investigating the burden of ocular morbidity among the elderly population of Nyanya, Abuja. Their ages ranged from 40 to 70 years with a mean of 55.01(SD ± 11.39), the minimum age was 40 and the maximum age was 89. In the data collection, convenient sampling method was used. A comprehensive examination consisting of visual acuity testing, anterior and posterior segment examination was carried out on all the participants.
Refraction was done where necessary. Presbyopia was not considered for the analysis, because presbyopia is common among this age group. Intraocular pressures (IOPs) were checked for cup disc ratio >0.6 or where
there is 2D difference between the two eyes and when there is synechia. Glaucoma suspects were referred for perimetry. Visual impairment was classified according to the World Health Organization. Data were analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 25). From the result, the ratio of males to females is 1:1.08. Ocular morbidity was not significantly dependent on gender (P<0.05) but was significantly dependent on age (P<0.05). The most common ocular morbidity was conjunctivitis(15.3%, n=47 ), followed by refractive error (13.3%, n=41),other patterns are pterygium and refractive error
(10.7%,n=33),Cataract (9.4%,n=29) normal/presbyopia(9.4%, n=29),dry eye(7.8%,n=24), pterygium/ pinguecula + dry eye (5.5%, n=17), corneal ulcer (4.5%,n=14), uveitis(3.9% n=12),lid disorder (3.2%, n=10), hypertensive retinopathy(2.3%, n=7), glaucoma(1.6%, n=5), cataract + pterygium + refractive error (1.6%,n=5), glaucoma +cataract (1.6%, n=5), diabetic retinopathy(1.3%, n=4),refractive error and dry eye (3.2%,n=10), glaucoma + refractive error (3.2%,n=10),pterygium(0.6%, n=2), conjunctivitis + refractive error(0.6%, n=2), retinitis pigmentosa (0.6%, n=2). In conclusion ocular morbidity was found to be high among the elderly in Nyanya hence, health education programsshould target the elderly specifically and the entire population in general, on the importance of regular and comprehensive eye/vision check.
