FACULTY OF OPTOMETRY

Refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and few cases anisometropia are major causes of visual impairment in children worldwide. In Nigeria, many cases remain undetected due to inadequate screening programs and limited data. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of refractive errors in children is essential for targeted interventions and effective public health planning. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors in children aged 6–18 years attending selected hospitals in Benin City, Edo State. A retrospective study was used and the number of records reviewed was 719 and the information on the age, gender, type of refractive error and visual acuity was gathered from selected hospitals in Benin City. The findings showed that astigmatism refractive error was the most common with 48.8% of errors followed by myopia (32.8) and hyperopia (11.3) with less prevalence of anisometropia. Women and children (13- 18 years old) were overrepresented. The cases of astigmatism were multiplying five times over the study period and almost 60 percent of the diagnosis of refractive errors in recent years was attributed to astigmatism and myopia was found to be at its peak in the middle years. Hyperopia was comparatively low and cannot be disregarded because of its correlation with amblyopia and difficulties with learning. The distribution of refractive errors based on age and gender was tested statistically and found to be significantly different (p<0.05). These results are in line with the regional and global trends where the lifestyle in cities, academic needs, and genes influence the observed trends. The study has emphasized the significance of early diagnosis, periodic eye check-ups in schools, and specific measures to minimize avoidable visual loss in the children. It also throws light at how important it is that policy makers should focus on pediatric eye health services and education of the population in Edo State and other urban areas which thereby contribute to the growing body of knowledge required to shape pediatric optometric policies and training in Nigeria.

Background: Welding is central to Nigeria’s economic development, supporting sectors like construction, manufacturing, and automobile repair. These processes also generate a reasonable occupational risks. Although protective ocular goggles reduced these risks, adherence among welders is inconsistent, for example, in informal sectors such as Ikpoba- Okha and Ovia North-East LGAs of Edo State, where safety regulations are weakly enforced. Purpose: This study assessed welders’ awareness of ocular hazards, the extent and consistency of use of goggle, influencing factors, and the prevalence of welding-related eye injuries in the study areas. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 90, practitioners and apprentice welders aged between 18 to 55 years with at least four years of experience. Participants were recruited through systematic sampling. Data Analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics summarized awareness and practice. Chi-square tests assessed associations between use of goggle with variables such as age, education, prior injury, and training. Logistic regression identified aof consistent goggle use, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed high awareness of ocular hazards (98.6%) but with inconsistent usage of googles: 47.5% always, 22.6% sometimes, and 29.9% rarely. Determinants of compliance of protective goggles included age, education, history of injury, affordability, quality, availability of goggles, and training. Contribution to Knowledge: This study highlighted a persistent gap between knowledge and practice which underscored the need for multifaceted interventions such as high-quality goggles, structured training, and stronger regulatory enforcement.

This study examined Parental Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Digital Eye Strain (DES) in Children in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State. Digital eye strain, has become a growing concern due to increased screen exposure among children for both educational and recreational purposes. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, and data were collected from 387 parents or primary caregivers of children aged 5 to 15 years using a structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The results revealed that most parents (70.5%) were aware of digital eye strain, and 87.9% believed that excessive screen time could harm children’s eyes. The majority demonstrated good awareness of preventive measures such as maintaining correct sitting posture (86.6%), proper viewing distance (87.9%), and regular breaks during device use (83.7%). However, awareness and utilization of antiglare screens were relatively low (52.5%). Smartphones were the most frequently used devices (61.0%), and over half of the children (58.9%) spent between 3 to 6 hours daily on screens. Commonly reported symptoms among children included eye itching (18.1%), redness (12.1%), and fatigue (14.5%). While 42.4% of parents sought professional care when symptoms occurred, 18.6% relied on home remedies. Overall, the study concludes that although parental awareness of DES is high, consistent implementation of preventive practices remains inadequate. It recommends increased public health education, periodic pediatric eye examinations, school-based interventions, and policy- driven community awareness programs to enhance preventive behavior among parents and caregivers

Diabetes mellitus has been increasingly linked with ocular complications, particularly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a key risk factor for glaucoma. Understanding the relationship between blood sugar level and Intraocular pressure is critical for early detection and prevention of vision-threatening conditions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and intraocular pressure and assess the influence of age and gender on these parameters among adults in Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 41–80 years with the mean age (61.5 years) attending St. Teresa Specialist and Laser Eye Center, Benin City. Fasting blood sugar was measured using a glucometer, and intraocular pressure was assessed using an iCare tonometer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, applying t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and intraocular pressure (r = 0.658, p = 0.01). Males exhibited higher mean IOP (17.44 mmHg) than females (15.49 mmHg; p = 0.047), while older age groups (61–80 years) showed significantly higher FBS (126.84 mg/dl) and IOP (18.72 mmHg) values compared to younger participants (p < 0.05). It is concluded from this study that elevated fasting blood sugar is significantly associated with increased intraocular pressure, with age and gender acting as modifying factors. Routine IOP screening is recommended for individuals with elevated blood glucose, regardless of diabetic status.

In Benin City, Nigeria, children continue to suffer from preventable visual impairments due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialized eye care. Contributing factors highlighted in prior studies include low caregiver awareness, financial constraints, and systemic weaknesses within the healthcare infrastructure. This purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of eye care professionals on the major challenges affecting pediatric eye care delivery and to identify feasible strategies to improve treatment uptake among children in Benin City. A qualitative, exploratory design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 70 eyecare professionals including optometrists, ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses in Benin City. The data were analyzed thematically to identify major challenges, barriers, and practical recommendations related to pediatric eye care delivery and utilization. Several systemic and clinical challenges were identified, including poor child cooperation during examination, financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure and equipment, poor follow-up and compliance, and weak school eye health programs. Barriers preventing parents from seeking or adhering to care included lack of awareness, high costs, long clinic waiting times and stigmatization of spectacle. Some of the recommendations made by participants include increasing public awareness campaigns, strengthening school eye health programs and subsidizing pediatric eye care costs. The participants emphasized on enhancing access and treatment compliance through a robust comprehensive approach involving public awareness, policy support, workforce training, community outreaches and integrating pediatric eye care into primary health and school systems.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common indicator of nutritional and general health, but its possible effect on visual performance, especially binocular vision, has not been widely studied. This study investigated how BMI influences binocular vision parameters Near Point of Convergence (NPC) , Amplitude of Accommodation (AoA) , Heterophoria, and Fusional Vergence among healthy young adults. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Benin Optometry Clinic involving 100 participants aged 17–30 years. Participants were grouped as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese based on the World Health Organization (WHO) BMI classification. NPC was measured with a meter rule, AoA using Donder’s push-up method, and both Heterophoria and Fusional Vergence assessed with a phoropter via the von Graefe technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation at a 0.05 significance level. Results: BMI was significantly associated with NPC recovery (p = 0.047) but not NPC break (p = 0.121). AoA and Heterophoria showed no significant correlations with BMI (p = 0.529; p = 0.154/0.999). Negative Fusional Vergence (NFV) break at 6 m differed significantly across BMI groups (p = 0.043), whereas Decompensated Phoria did not (p = 0.249). BMI also showed a significant relationship with refractive status (p = 0.039),Over weight subject were more of myopic astigmatism and Obese Subject tended towards hyperopic astigmatism. Conclusion: Higher BMI appears to reduce convergence recovery and fusional divergence efficiency, though accommodation and heterophoria remain unaffected. This suggests that excess body weight may compromise oculomotor control through systemic or neuromuscular mechanisms. Incorporating BMI assessment into binocular vision evaluations is recommended to promote both ocular and general health.

Myopia is a significant and growing public health concern globally, with increasing prevalence observed even in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, data on the rate of myopia progression in Nigeria remain limited, particularly in urban settings such as Benin City. Understanding the pattern and rate of myopia progression in this population is critical for guiding clinical management, preventive strategies, and policy interventions. This study aimed to determine the rate and pattern of myopia progression among patients aged 6–25 years attending selected eye clinics in Benin City over a ten-year period. A retrospective observational study design was employed. Clinical records of 300 myopic patients (71.3% females, 28.7% males) from four major eye clinics in Benin City between 2014 and 2024 were reviewed. Data on age, gender, and spherical equivalent refraction (SER) at first and last visits were extracted. Annual myopia progression rates were calculated as changes in SER (diopters per year). Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using t-tests and ANOVA, with significance set at p < 0.05. The mean age of participants was 15.87 ± 4.75 years. The overall mean annual myopia progression rate was −0.15 D/year. rogression was fastest among younger patients (6–10 years: −0.38 D/year) and slowed with increasing age (p < 0.05). Only 13% of patients showed significant progression (≥ −0.50 D/year). Myopia progressed slightly faster in females (−0.16 ± 0.21 D/year) than males (−0.13 ± 0.13 D/year), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.33). Baseline severity influenced progression, with mild myopes showing the highest mean annual change (−0.17 D/year). Myopia progression among patients in Benin City was relatively slow compared with Asian populations but exhibited similar age-related trends, with faster progression in younger individuals. These findings underscore the need for early detection and routine monitoring of refractive changes in children to prevent high myopia and associated ocular complications. The study provides baseline data to inform localized myopia control strategies and public health planning in Nigeria.

Glaucoma is a group of degenerative diseases of the optic nerve, and it is a major cause of irreversible blindness. Glaucoma treatment and management rely on effective prescription patterns and proper medication adherence. In Nigeria, differences in the prescription patterns and poor medication adherenceremain barriers to optimal glaucoma management. This study retrospectively assessed prescription patterns and patient adherence to anti-glaucoma medications at Metroeyes Clinic, Ikoyi, Lagos, from January 2021 to December 2024, reviewing 107 patient case files. Prescription patterns were accessed by extracting data from clinical records of selected patients. The level of Adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Scale-12 (MAS-12) through structured phone interviews, and the data were analysed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression using SPSS version 27. The analysis results showed that prostaglandin analogs (59.5%) were the most commonly prescribed class of drugs, followed by fixed combination therapies (41.1%). Monotherapy was prescribed frequently than combination therapy, and most patients were given night-time (nocte) prescriptions (67.3%). Despite these rational prescription patterns, poor adherence was alarmingly high: 65.4% of patients were non-adherent, 29.9% were moderately adherent, and only were 4.7% fully adherent. The major reasons recorded for non- adherence included forgetfulness, dislike for long-term use of drugs, and perceived lack of necessity. There was no significant association found between prescription patterns and the adherence levels (p > 0.05), which is most likely due to the small number of adherent patients. In Summary, whereas the prescribing patterns at Metroeyes Clinic aligned with international standards and best practices, adherence remained alarmingly low. Rational prescribing alone has been proven insufficient to improve management outcomes. Therefore, future interventions should emphasize patient education on drugs, reminder systems, patient purchasing power, and psychological support. Strengthening these areas can improve medication adherence and reduce blindness attributable to glaucoma in Nigeria and across Africa.

Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma cause serious health issues and hardships in sub-Saharan Africa, often made worse by a lack of access to regular medical services. This research examines how the leaf extracts from Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye pressure in healthy adults, both separately and together. One hundred and seventy-four (174) participants (mean age 34.3 ± 7.1 years) received single administrations of hot aqueous extracts of S. bicolor, A. paniculata, or a 1:1 mixed extract. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) and IOP (mmHg, right eye [RE] and left eye [LE]) were measured at baseline and four hours post- administration. The results revealed statistically significant reductions (p < 0.05) across all parameters in all treatment groups. For Sorghum bicolor, systolic pressure decreased from 126.15 ± 15.9 to 120.80 ± 15.0 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 85.60 ± 11.1 to 80.03 ± 10.4 mmHg, blood glucose from 82.86 ± 14.61 to 70.39 ± 11.99 mg/dL, and IOP from 16.88 ± 2.5 to 15.83 ± 1.6 mmHg (right eye) and from 17.14 ± 1.93 to 16.12 ± 1.8 mmHg (left eye). Similar reductions were observed with Andrographis paniculata, where systolic pressure fell from 129.44 ± 14.7 to 121.20 ± 16.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 84.60 ± 13.3 to 77.13 ± 11.4 mmHg, and blood glucose from 83.61 ± 13.2 to 75.26 ± 11.43 mg/dL, while IOP decreased to 14.49 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.98 ± 2.0 mmHg (left). The combined extract produced the greatest effect, with systolic pressure reducing from 134.63 ± 15.7 to 128.68 ± 15.9 mmHg, diastolic pressure from 87.10 ± 22.1 to 77.90 ± 12.2 mmHg, blood glucose from 80.42 ± 12.04 to 74.40 ± 10.20 mg/dL, and IOP from 15.94 ± 1.8 to 14.94 ± 2.0 mmHg (right) and 15.67 ± 1.5 to 15.13 ± 2.7 mmHg (left). These results demonstrate that both Sorghum bicolor and Andrographis paniculata extracts—singularly and in combination—can significantly lower blood pressure, blood glucose, and intraocular pressure within a short period following administration. The enhanced effects observed with the combined extract suggest possible synergistic interactions between their phytochemical constituents.

Background: Dual sensory impairment, involving both visual and auditory deficiencies, significantly impacts an individual’s ability to communicate, learn, and navigate their environment. Research suggested that hearing-impaired individuals were at a higher risk of developing ocular abnormalities, including refractive errors and contrast sensitivity deficits. Given their reliance on vision for communication, understanding the prevalence and nature of visual impairment in this population was crucial for effective healthcare interventions. Purpose: To determine the relationship between visual and hearing impairment in affected individuals. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the school for the hearing impaired in Benin City using purposive sampling. Participants were selected based on inclusion criteria, with demographic and hearing-impairment data obtained from school records and teachers. Visual assessments included Tumbling E visual acuity testing, ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, subjective refraction, contrast sensitivity testing using the Pelli-Robson chart, and cover test. Data were collected using structured forms and analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0. Data Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed. The prevalence of visual impairment and contrast sensitivity abnormalities was determined. Chi-square tests assessed associations between age, gender, and dual sensory impairment. Results: Among the 100 hearing-impaired participants examined, hyperopia (34%) was the most common refractive anomaly, followed by compound hyperopic astigmatism (15%), while mixed astigmatism (4%) was the least. Visual impairment before correction was 6%, and after refraction, normal vision increased to 96% with 2% impaired. Contrast sensitivity was normal in 96% of participants, with 2% showing mild reduction. No severe visual impairment, blindness, or significant association with age or gender was found. Conclusion: Hearing-impaired individuals showed a high prevalence of correctable refractive errors. Most visual deficits improved with refraction, underscoring the importance of routine vision screening and timely optical correction in schools for the hearing impaired. Contribution to Optometry: This study provided valuable insights into the relationship between visual and auditory impairments, supporting improved screening and management strategies for individuals with dual sensory impairment.