Distribution of Ocular Disorders in Communities Affected by Crude Oil-spillage in Rivers State

Abstract

Objective: To assess the ocular disorders prevalent in communities affected by crude oil-spillage in Rivers State.
 Methods: A cross sectional study involving participants at a one day free eye screening event in Ogu Bolo Local Government area of Rivers State. Participants had comprehensive ocular examination, a pen torch examination of the anterior segment and a direct fundoscopy using the Welch Alllyn Ophthalmoscope, Tonometry was done using the Keeler Pulse air tonometer and those with minor ocular pathologies were treated on site while more chronic disease were referred to a private Ophthalmology group practice.
 Statistical Analysis: Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Descriptive statistics employed mean, median, standard deviation and range values. Frequencies and proportions were used for categorical variables.
 Results: The mean age was 46.76±16.03 years while the age range was 1-90 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.1. About 57.9% and 57.1% of the people had visual acuity better than 6/18 in the right and left eyes respectively. About 19.7% and 20.1% had visual acuity worse than 6/36 in the right and left eyes respectively. The commonest Ocular disorder was Refractive Error (33.6%).This was followed by Presbyopia (17.8%), Cataract (15.1%), Allergic Conjunctivitis (6.5%) while Ocular albinism was least (0.2%).
 Conclusion: Ocular anterior segment disorders are prevalent in communities affected by oil spillage and could be due to exposure to petroleum-related chemical irritants.

Comparative Analysis of Ocular Morbidity in Riverine and Upland Communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…Those who were suspected of having glaucoma and those who had established glaucoma were found to be more in the Riverine community. This is in contrast to Omoni's series where glaucoma was not found to be a significant cause of ocular morbidity and also contrary to studies done in upland communities in the same state where glaucoma was reported to rank highly in the causes of visual impairment and blindness [12,13]. Wide scale community-based studies are needed to unmask this association.…”

“…This is surprising as riverine communities experience more rainfall annually with fewer periods of dryness compared to the upland communities and it is expected that pollens and other allergens are washed away. A possible reason could be due to petroleum-related pollution in the air from illegal refining activities [10,11,12]. Most studies carried out in the state have reported a high incidence of allergic conjunctivitis with a tendency to a higher prevalence in the Upland communities [5,6,11,12].…”

“…A possible reason could be due to petroleum-related pollution in the air from illegal refining activities [10,11,12]. Most studies carried out in the state have reported a high incidence of allergic conjunctivitis with a tendency to a higher prevalence in the Upland communities [5,6,11,12]. However a study carried out among school students in a Riverine community in the same state reported a low prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis [13].…”

Pattern of Ocular Disorders in A Semi-Urban Community in Rivers State, Nigeria. --Implications for Eye Care Planning and Budgeting

“…Refractive error occurred in 77.9% of participants ( Figure 3 [19,20]. This is thought to be linked to environmental pollution mostly from hydrocarbon products.…”