PREVALENCE AND COEXISTENCE OF GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, AND DRY EYE DISEASE AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN IMO STATE SECRETARIAT, NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Anuforo Joy Oluchi*, Agu Godwin Chukwuma, Eleonu Priscilia Chinedu, Eberendu I. F., Ibe Sally Nkechinyere, Magnus C. Nsonwu, Amuneke Linda Chidinma

ABSTRACT

Glaucoma, cataract and dry eye disease are leading causes of visual morbidity globally and commonly coexist in middle-aged and older persons. However, there is paucity of information on their coexistence among the occupational populations in Nigeria. The study investigated the prevalence of glaucoma and its co-morbidity with cataract and dry eye disease among public officials in Imo State Secretariat, Owerri, Nigeria. Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 380 public personnel aged 35-65 years selected using multi stage sampling. All participants got a complete ophthalmic examination including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ophthalmoscopy and Schirmer’s test. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis using SPSS version 23. Glaucoma, cataract, and dry eye disease were diagnosed in 30 (7.9%), 68 (17.9%), and 144 (37.8%) patients, respectively. Glaucoma, cataract and dry eye disease co-existed in eight subjects (2.1%). Dry eye disease was the most prevalent ocular illness. Results showed a significant burden of ocular illnesses especially dry eye disease among civil servants. Occupational health services should include regular workplace eye screening programmes and periodic complete ocular examinations to enable early diagnosis and timely action.

Keywords:

Glaucoma; Cataract; Dry Eye Disease; Ocular Co-morbidity; Occupational Health; Nigeria.

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