Pattern and Clinical Features of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v24i2.549Abstract
Background: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of visual impairment and blindness globally. There is however a dearth of information on the prevalence and characteristics of ARMD in our environment. This study aims to determine the clinical features of ARMD in Benin City, Nigeria, and to ascertain if these features differ in blacks as compared to the Caucasian population.
Methods: This study is a descriptive hospital-based study and was carried out in the Out-patient clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Nigeria. All consecutive consenting new patients, aged 50 years and above, who met the inclusion criteria presenting at the Ophthalmology Out-patient clinic of the UBTH within the study period were enrolled. Anterior segment and posterior segment examination was done for all the patients.
Results: Amsler grid was abnormal in 23.3% of the cases with ARMD (p<0.001). Of these cases, about 10% of them had unilateral macula abnormalities. Retinal pigment epithelium abnormality was the more common posterior segment finding among cases (94.2%) compared to drusen (≈13%). The predominant form of ARMD seen was the early form (98.3%). The majority of cases with ARMD had RPE hyperpigmentation as against hypopigmentation
Conclusion: the progression of ARMD and its effect on vision makes the disease an important cause of blindness in the elderly. Thus, early diagnosis and close follow-up is necessary in reducing blindness from the disease.
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