Introduction: The non-communicable eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy have become significant threats to vision and require lifelong management. The development of ocular complications of diabetes has been asso...Introduction: The non-communicable eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy have become significant threats to vision and require lifelong management. The development of ocular complications of diabetes has been associated with longstanding and/or poorly controlled disease. Early detection and prevention are keys to reduce this scourge, but this largely depends on the existing knowledge. Objective: This study is aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding eye care among patients living with diabetes with a view to making recommendations for a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach to ophthalmic care. Methods: One hundred and three respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional study carried out in the Endocrinology Clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Results: There was a female preponderance with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. Of these respondents, 68.9% had been diabetic for 5 years or less;56.4% could define diabetes;but only 40.77% could mention some ocular complications of diabetes. Only 31.1% had had their eyes examined;the rest had not been to an eye clinic due to lack of funds, time, no ocular problems and not having been referred to an eye doctor. This attitude and practice were not significantly associated with age, sex, occupation or duration of illness. Conclusion: Though more than half of the respondents could define diabetes, there is still a poor knowledge of the ocular complications of diabetes and a poor attitude and practice regarding eye care among these patients. An interdisciplinary patient-centred approach to the management of diabetic eye diseases is recommended so as to reduce the burden of visual impairment from diabetes.展开更多
Introduction: Approximately 80% of blindness is avoidable. Poverty and ignorance have been reported as factors responsible for many cases. There is a poor uptake of orthodox eye health services and an increase in the ...Introduction: Approximately 80% of blindness is avoidable. Poverty and ignorance have been reported as factors responsible for many cases. There is a poor uptake of orthodox eye health services and an increase in the consultation of traditional healers in the developing countries. Age, level of education, occupation, cost and accessibility to these traditional healers have been reported as predictors of this behavior. The absence of eye care services at the rural areas have necessitated the use of free eye screening/treatment as tools for educating and offering eye care to these rural dwellers. Various patterns of eye diseases have been described in different regions and localities within and outside Nigeria. This study aims to determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular disorders in some rural areas of Imo state where primary eye care facilities are scarce with a view to making recommendations to the health authorities for proper planning of eye care services in the state. Methods: This was a retrospective review of data generated from self-selected patients during the free eye screening organized in each of the 3 senatorial zones of Imo state by the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo state. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Results: A total of 1973 subjects participated in the outreach. There were 1111 (56.3%) females and 862 (43.7%) males giving a ratio of 1.3:1. The most common causes of ocular morbidity were refractive error (31.6%), glaucoma (23.5%), presbyopia (17%), and cataract (12.5%). Refractive error, glaucoma, and cataract were significantly associated with age and sex while presbyopia was only positively associated age. Conclusion: Considering the causes of ocular morbidity noted in this study, there is an urgent need to establish primary eye care services in these remote and rural areas in order to achieve the vision 2020 goal of eliminating avoidable blindness.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The non-communicable eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy have become significant threats to vision and require lifelong management. The development of ocular complications of diabetes has been associated with longstanding and/or poorly controlled disease. Early detection and prevention are keys to reduce this scourge, but this largely depends on the existing knowledge. Objective: This study is aimed at determining the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding eye care among patients living with diabetes with a view to making recommendations for a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach to ophthalmic care. Methods: One hundred and three respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire in a cross sectional study carried out in the Endocrinology Clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Results: There was a female preponderance with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. Of these respondents, 68.9% had been diabetic for 5 years or less;56.4% could define diabetes;but only 40.77% could mention some ocular complications of diabetes. Only 31.1% had had their eyes examined;the rest had not been to an eye clinic due to lack of funds, time, no ocular problems and not having been referred to an eye doctor. This attitude and practice were not significantly associated with age, sex, occupation or duration of illness. Conclusion: Though more than half of the respondents could define diabetes, there is still a poor knowledge of the ocular complications of diabetes and a poor attitude and practice regarding eye care among these patients. An interdisciplinary patient-centred approach to the management of diabetic eye diseases is recommended so as to reduce the burden of visual impairment from diabetes.
文摘Introduction: Approximately 80% of blindness is avoidable. Poverty and ignorance have been reported as factors responsible for many cases. There is a poor uptake of orthodox eye health services and an increase in the consultation of traditional healers in the developing countries. Age, level of education, occupation, cost and accessibility to these traditional healers have been reported as predictors of this behavior. The absence of eye care services at the rural areas have necessitated the use of free eye screening/treatment as tools for educating and offering eye care to these rural dwellers. Various patterns of eye diseases have been described in different regions and localities within and outside Nigeria. This study aims to determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular disorders in some rural areas of Imo state where primary eye care facilities are scarce with a view to making recommendations to the health authorities for proper planning of eye care services in the state. Methods: This was a retrospective review of data generated from self-selected patients during the free eye screening organized in each of the 3 senatorial zones of Imo state by the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo state. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Results: A total of 1973 subjects participated in the outreach. There were 1111 (56.3%) females and 862 (43.7%) males giving a ratio of 1.3:1. The most common causes of ocular morbidity were refractive error (31.6%), glaucoma (23.5%), presbyopia (17%), and cataract (12.5%). Refractive error, glaucoma, and cataract were significantly associated with age and sex while presbyopia was only positively associated age. Conclusion: Considering the causes of ocular morbidity noted in this study, there is an urgent need to establish primary eye care services in these remote and rural areas in order to achieve the vision 2020 goal of eliminating avoidable blindness.
