Low rates of optical coherence tomography utilization in the diagnosis and management of retinovascular diseases in a lower middle-income economy.

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used as the standard of care in evaluating macular and retinovascular diseases. However, the degree of OCT utilization is yet to be researched in a resource-limited country where wide gaps exist in access to healthcare. Aim: To determine the rate of utilization of the OCT in diagnosis, pre-treatment, and post-treatment evaluation of macular and retinovascular diseases treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection (IVI). Patients and Methods: Retrospective, consecutive, and non-comparative case series of eyes diagnosed and treated from Jan 2017 to Jan 2022 for seven macular and retinovascular diseases in five eye clinics in Nigeria. Data extracted include demographics, indication for IVI, eye treated, use or non-use of OCT at the diagnosis (pre-treatment) and after the last IVI (post-treatment), and central macular thickness (CMT) of pre-treatment OCT scans. Results: Seven hundred and forty two eyes were diagnosed with retinovascular and macular diseases (389 right eyes and 353 left eyes).The male to female ratio was 430: 312 eyes. The mean age was, 63.89 years (SD 12.58). Four hundred and fifty two eyes (60.9%) had a pre-treatment OCT, 235 eyes (31.7%) had a post-treatment OCT, and 190 eyes (25.6%) had both pre- and post-treatment OCTs. The rate of pre-treatment OCT varied with the diagnosis (P = 0.000); DME had the highest rate, 74.4%, and HRVO had the lowest, 40%. Post-treatment OCT rate varied with the diagnosis (P = 0.009); non-AMD CNVM had the highest rate, 49.1%, and PCV had the lowest, 24.6%. Pre-treatment OCT rate was influenced by clinic location (P = 0.000); higher in clinics having an OCT. Post-treatment OCT was not influenced by clinic location (P = 0.37). A CRVO eye had the highest maximum CMT (1031 microns) of all the pre treatment eyes and the lowest minimum CMT of all the pre treatment eyes was in a BRVO eye (138 microns). Mean CMT was highest in HRVO (475.33 microns) and lowest in CNVM (307.62 microns). Conclusion: Though OCT is the standard of care for managing retinovascular and macular diseases, this research quantifies the extent of its use in Nigeria and finds it to be low. A post-treatment OCT rate of 32% suggests that urgent steps are required to improve access to OCT for IVI patients.

The fellow eye of retinal detachment patients: Vision and clinical presentation.

Background: The fellow eye of a retinal detachment is at risk of developing a retinal detachment and other visually debilitating disease. Aim: To investigate the rate of bilaterality of retinal detachment (RD), the presenting visual acuity (VA), and the presence of ocular morbidity in the fellow eye of patients with RD. Patients and Methods: A multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study examining the fellow eye of consecutive patients who were diagnosed with different types of RD. The patients were seen within one year and examined in four Nigerian eye hospitals and clinics. Demographics, VA, and clinical findings at the presentation were reported on examination of the fellow eyes. Results: Twenty-seven (11.4%) out of 237 patients (264 eyes) had an RD in the fellow eye. The mean age of all study patients was 46.2 ± 16.8 years, M/F: 161 (67.9%)/76 (32.1%). The rates of bilaterality for rhegmatogenous, exudative, and tractional RDs were 4.2%, 11.1%, and 31.1%, respectively. Diagnosis of RD in an eye was associated with a risk of developing fellow eye rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) (P < 0.001) and tractional RD (P < 0.001), respectively. RRD in an eye was associated with a 17% risk of developing RD in the fellow eye (ß = -1.6, OR = 0.202, P < 0.001). The BCVA in the fellow eye of the three types of RD varied significantly (P < 0.001). The fellow eye was blind in 25.2% of RRD, 54.1% of tractional retinal detachment (TRD), and 11.1% of exudative retinal detachment (ERD). Bilateral RD eyes were blind in RRD (85.7%), TRD (71.1%), and ERD (50%). One hundred and seven eyes (40.5%) of the total 264 RD eyes studied had other fellow eye events at the presentation. Conclusion: A patient with an RD in one eye is at significant risk of developing a blinding RD in the fellow eye. This risk varies with the type of RD and is highest with TRD. However, RRD, the commonest type of RD, can benefit from prophylactic treatment to the fellow eye RD predisposing lesions.

Vitreous Hemorrhage, Aetiology and Visual Outcome of Vitrectomy in a Black African Population.

BACKGROUND: Information on the causes and outcome of treatment of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine the causes and postoperative vision after vitrectomy for VH. DESIGN: A retrospective review of records from consecutive eyes, with VH greater than one-month duration, who had vitrectomy and adjunctive treatment in a retina unit in Nigeria. METHODS: We assessed the change between preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, bio data, cause of VH, duration of follow up, and additional treatment. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package 17.0 to determine the significance of the change in visual acuity for each cause of VH. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 221 eyes of 219 patients, the common causes of VH were trauma 43 eyes, (19.7%), proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 37 eyes (17.0%) and proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, 30 eyes (13.8%). There was no association between cause and the presenting preoperative visual acuity. There was a statistically significant association between cause of VH and postoperative visual outcome. Postoperative visual improvement was significant for branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal vein occlusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy with VH only, proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, and trauma with VH only, p value = 0.000, 0.002, 0.001, 0.039, and 0.000 respectively. Postoperative visual change was not significant in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (p value = 0.155, 0.428 respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in visual acuity can be achieved with active treatment of VH in the majority of cases in Nigeria. This information is useful for discussions on prognosis and agrees with previous studies.

CONTEXTE: Les informations sur les causes et les résultats du traitement de l'hémorragie vitréenne (HV) en Afrique subsaharienne sont limitées. OBJECTIFS: Déterminer les causes et la vision postopératoire après une vitrectomie pour une HV. CONCEPTION: Une revue rétrospective des dossiers d'yeux consécutifs, avec une HV de plus d'un mois, qui ont subi une vitrectomie et un traitement d'appoint dans une unité de rétine au Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Nous avons évalué la variation entre l'acuité visuelle préopératoire et postopératoire, les données biologiques, la cause de l'HV, la durée du suivi et le traitement complémentaire. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du progiciel statistique SPSS 17.0 afin de déterminer la signification du changement d'acuité visuelle pour chaque cause de HV. Une valeur p <0,05 a été considérée comme statistiquement significative. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 221 yeux de 219 patients, les causes les plus fréquentes de l'HV étaient les suivantes : traumatisme, 43 yeux (19,7%), rétinopathie diabétique proliférante, 37 yeux (17,0 %) et rétinopathie drépanocytaire proliférante, 30 yeux (13,8 %). Il n'y avait pas d'association entre la cause et l'acuité visuelle préopératoire. Il y avait une association statistiquement significative entre la cause de l'HV et le résultat visuel postopératoire. L'amélioration visuelle postopératoire était significative pour l'occlusion de la veine rétinienne de branche, l'occlusion de la veine rétinienne centrale, la rétinopathie diabétique proliférante avec HV uniquement, la rétinopathie drépanocytaire proliférante et le traumatisme avec HV uniquement, valeur p = 0,000, 0,002, 0,001, 0,039 et 0,000 respectivement. Le changement visuel postopératoire n'était pas significatif dans la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge et la vasculopathie choroïdienne polypoïde (valeur p = 0,155,0,428 respectivement). CONCLUSION: Des améliorations significatives de l'acuité visuelle peuvent être obtenues avec un traitement actif de l'HV dans la majorité des cas au Nigeria. Cette information est utile pour les discussions sur le pronostic et concorde avec les études précédentes. Mots clés: Rétinopathie diabétique, traumatisme oculaire, rétinopathie diabétique proliférante, rétinopathie drépanocytaire, Afrique subsaharienne, hémorragie vitrée, vitrectomie, acuité visuelle.

Correlating optical coherence tomography biomarkers with visual acuity in nigerian retinitis pigmentosa patients.

Background: Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) has been used for imaging retinitis pigmentosa (RP) eyes and provides useful information on microstructural changes. Aim: To review SD-OCT findings and correlate the central foveal thickness (CFT), outer nuclear layer (ONL), external limiting membrane (ELM), and ellipsoid zone (EZ) with visual function in nonsyndromic RP eyes. Patients and Methods: A multicenter, retrospective review of records from consecutive eyes diagnosed to have RP. Biodata, systemic disease, visual acuity, lens status, intraocular pressure, and SD-OCT images were examined. The CFT was categorized into normal (250-299 microns), atrophic (0-249 microns), and edematous (≥300 microns). The ONL, ELM, and EZ within the subfoveal area was assessed and rated as normal, reduced (if less than normal), or absent (if missing). The status of these biomarkers was correlated with visual acuity and statistical analysis performed using Pearson Chi2, P < 0.05. In addition, the vitreomacular interface was examined for the presence of vitreomacular traction (VMT), vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), and epiretinal membrane (ERM). Results: Fifty-two RP eyes of 27 patients had SD-OCT images that were used for study analysis. There were 17 males and 10 females; 52% of participants were between 31 and 50 years (age range: 22-77 years). An atrophic retina was the most common finding in 42 eyes (81%); the average CFT in the atrophic group was 175 microns (range: 111-245 microns). There were three eyes with cystoid macular edema, and seven eyes were normal. For the OCT biomarkers, a reduction in ONL and ELM occurred in 69% and 46% of eyes, respectively, while an absence was the most common EZ finding (in 50% of eyes). There was a significant correlation between the presence or absence of the three biomarkers and presenting vision: ONL, ELM, and EZ with P values of 0.000, 0.006, and 0.011, respectively. The CFT had no significant correlation with vision; P = 0.522. Other findings on OCT include ERM 17%, VMA 6%, and VMT 2%. Conclusion: This report supports the notion that OCT image reporting on physical retinal structure in RP eyes can be used to predict disease effects on vision. A prospective study to better quantify the degree of structural change and correlate with the degree of functional loss is required for RP gene types in Nigerians and black Africans.

Visual Status of Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Multicenter Study.

AIM: To determine the degree of visual loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in Nigerians at first ophthalmic clinic presentation METHODOLOGY: Multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study in four collaborating retina clinics within Nigeria between January and December 2018. The primary outcome measure was the World Health Organization's visual status classification at presentation. Clinical examination, including a Snellen's visual acuity, refraction, anterior segment examination using a slit lamp biomicroscope, and dilated fundus examination using a +90D or +78D, was done in all consecutive RP patients. We analyzed the data using SPSS (version 22), P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 8614 patients seen within the study period, fiftyfour eyes of 27 patients diagnosed to have RP with a mean age of 44.1years ± 17.6 years (ranging between 5­73 years) constituted the study population. Eighteen (66.7%) were males and 9 (33.3%) females. The hospital-based prevalence of RP was 0.31%. Ten patients (37.0%) presented with myopia. RP was bilateral in all cases and non-syndromic. Bilateral low vision and blindness were noted in 44.4% and 22.2% of patients respectively. CONCLUSION: About a quarter of patients with RP presenting to the retina clinics would have some degree of visual morbidity. Educating eye care providers and patients about the disease would improve understanding, encourage early clinic visits, manage visual morbidity and enhance rehabilitation when necessary.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer le degré de perte visuelle associée à la rétinite pigmentaire (RP) chez les Nigérians lors de la première présentation en clinique ophtalmique MÉTHODOLOGIE: Étude multicentrique, prospective et transversale dans quatre cliniques de rétine collaboratrices au Nigeria entre janvier et décembre 2018. Le principal critère de jugement était la classification de l'état visuel de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé à la présentation. Un examen clinique, comprenant une acuité visuelle de Snellen, une réfraction, un examen du segment antérieur à l'aide d'un biomicroscope à lampe à fente et un examen du fond d'œil dilaté à l'aide d'un +90D ou +78D, a été effectué chez tous les patients consécutifs atteints de RP. Nous avons analysé les données à l'aide du SPSS (version 22), P < 0,05 RÉSULTATS: Sur les 8614 patients examinés pendant la période d'étude, 54 yeux de 27 patients diagnostiqués comme ayant une RP et âgés en moyenne de 44,1 ans ± 17,6 ans (entre 5 et 73 ans) ont constitué la population étudiée. Dix-huit (66,7 %) étaient des hommes et 9 (33,3 %) des femmes. La prévalence de la RP dans les hôpitaux était de 0,31 %. Dix patients (37,0 %) présentaient une myopie. La RP était bilatérale dans tous les cas et non syndromique. Une basse vision et une cécité bilatérales ont été constatées chez 44,4 % et 22,2 % des patients respectivement. CONCLUSION: Environ un quart des patients atteints de RP se présentant dans les cliniques de la rétine auraient un certain degré de morbidité visuelle. L'éducation des prestataires de soins ophtalmologiques et des patients sur la maladie permettrait d'améliorer la compréhension, d'encourager les visites précoces dans les cliniques, de gérer la morbidité visuelle et d'améliorer la réadaptation si nécessaire. Mots clés: Rétinite pigmentaire, Nigeria, basse vision, cécité.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Amongst Nigerians; A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and presentation of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Nigerians. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter, hospital-based, descriptive study. Data were collected prospectively between January and December 2018, from consecutive patients diagnosed to have a retina disease at the general outpatient and retinal clinics of four eye departments in Nigeria. All participants had visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, anterior segment examination, and dilated fundus examination. Some patients had fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). Systemic comorbidity was determined by medical history and systemic evaluation. Diagnosis of PCV was based on clinical findings, and in some patients using OCT. RESULTS: A total of 8,614 patients were seen and 15 patients (18 eyes) were diagnosed to have PCV giving a yearly hospital-based prevalence of 0.17%. The mean age at presentation was 63.27 ± 11.5 years (range 44-84 years). There were nine females (60%). The male: female ratio was 1.5:1. Twelve (66.7%) of the 18 eyes were blind, 16.7% had severe visual impairment while 11.1% had mild visual impairment. Seven eyes (38.9%) had vitreous hemorrhage. Of the 12 blind eyes, 50% had vitreous hemorrhage (P = 0.463). Nine patients (60%) had systemic hypertensive as comorbidity (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: PCV is a cause of vision loss among Nigerians. Majority of the eyes were blind and 50% of blind eyes had vitreous hemorrhage. Since Indocyanine Green Angiography is the most appropriate imaging technology and is mostly unavailable in Nigeria, efforts should be made to address this need and improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Trends in glaucoma procedures and surgeries at the eye foundation hospital group, Nigeria.

AIMS: To review the trends in glaucoma procedural treatments from January 2009 to December 2017. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective search was carried out from the operating theater and laser room records of the Eye Foundation Hospitals in Lagos, Abuja, and Ijebu-Imushin. Consecutive glaucoma procedures for each year from January 2009 to December 2017 were recorded in the data sheet prepared for the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2017, trabeculectomy had been decreasing in frequency from 117 to 65 (44%), except for 2015. The frequency of use of glaucoma drainage device (GDD) has been steadily increasing from 1 in 2013 to 26 in 2017, but this is not statistically significant. The frequency of cataract extraction with trabeculectomy reduced drastically from 20 in 2009 to 3 (566%) in 2014. Bleb review (BR) increased from 2 in 2009 to 18 (800%) in 2015, however, it dropped to 6 in 2017 (66%). Among the laser procedures, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (g-probe) is commonly done. It increased from 40 procedures in 2009 to 98 in 2014 (145%). There has been an increase in laser trabeculoplasty from 15 in 2009 to 44 in 2013 (193%). Laser iridotomy increased from 12 in 2009 to 26 in 2015 (116%). From 2009 to 2015, there was an increase in glaucoma procedures and surgeries - 206 to 325 (58%) but this declined by 27% from 2015 to 2017. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy is the most performed procedure at our centers. This is followed by g-probe and laser trabeculoplasty. The rate of trabeculectomy is on the decrease, while the rate of GDD is increasing. The laser procedures are also on the increase.

Ro-vibrational energies of cesium dimer and lithium dimer with molecular attractive potential.

An approximate solution of the SchrÓ§dinger equation for a molecular attractive potential was obtained using the parametric Nikiforov-Uvarov method. The energy equation and the corresponding radial wave functions were calculated. The effects of the potential parameters on the energy eigenvalues were examined. The thermal properties under the molecular attractive potential were calculated and the behaviour of the thermal properties with the maximum quantum state (λ) and the temperature parameter (ß) respectively, were studied. Using the molecular spectroscopic parameters, the Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) of cesium dimer and lithium dimer were both obtained and compared with the experimental values. The RKR values of both cesium dimer and lithium dimer calculated aligned with the observed values. The deviation and average deviation of the RKR for each molecule were also calculated.