Paper Title: Trends in rates in ocular diagnoses among outpatients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic: 2006 – 2016

Authors: Cookey, S.A.H., Onua, A.A.

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Abstract/Summary:

Objective:
To identify the types of ophthalmological diagnoses among outpatients at the Eye Clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and determine the trends in rates of these disorders from 2006 to 2016.

Methodology:
A retrospective review of clinical records from the eye clinic of UPTH from 2006 till 2016.
Data extraction:
Data on ocular pathologies seen from 2006 to 2016 were obtained from the eye clinic out-patient register and entered into Microsoft Excel sheet using a template comprising of the ophthalmological diagnosis and year of diagnosis.
Data analysis:
Data from Microsoft Excel sheet were exported to Epi-Info version 7.1.4 for statistical analysis. Line graph was used to express rates of the ocular diseases diagnosed from 2006 to 2016. The absolute number of patients across the time period was presented in tabular form. Trend analysis was performed using Chi square for trend statistics and statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results:
Ophthalmic diseases most commonly diagnosed during the period under review were allergic conjunctivitis, refractive error, glaucoma, cataract and bacterial conjunctivitis. Disorders of the eyelids and orbit, disorders of retina, neuro-ophthalmic disorders, ocular foreign bodies and trauma were less common. The trend in the rate of ocular disorders was undulating with peaks in different months and years.

Conclusion:
The trend of ocular disorders through a period of eleven years was undulating. The rate of ocular disorders increased with years. Improvement in our eye care service is desirable.

Publication Date:
2019-12-31

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