Pattern of ocular disorders in an oil community

Abstract

Background: Environmental pollutants particularly from industries can be a significant cause of ocular disorders. This could affect not just quality of life but also productivity especially in an occupationally active age group. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and prevalence of ocular disorders in an oil community.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out after a one day free medical outreach at Ekerekana- ama, Okrika. Information culled from the records of each patient included demographic data, visual acuity, ocular findings and diagnosis.Results: A total of two hundred and forty-two subjects were studied. Refractive error and presbyopia were the commonest ocular disorder seen. Ocular surface disorders comprising of allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, photophobia and bacterial conjunctivitis, was the second most common with a prevalence of 12%.Conclusions: The pattern and distribution of ocular disorders in this study mirrors that reported in other studies done in oil communities to a considerable extent. Government interventions in formulating and regulating refining processes should be reinforced. Provision of more accessible eye care in those communities will also improve their ocular status significantly.

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

“…This shows that they would be exposed to variety of ocular diseases because virtually all age groups were represented. The commonest presentation was refractive error and this was in keeping to the findings by Ani, et al, Anyiam, et al and Abraham et al in their studies in same oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria [6,9,10]. The high prevalence of refractive error may not solely be related to these irritants because refractive error was also found to be the commonest cause of mild and moderate visual impairment in the countrys (Nigerian National blindness survey) survey.…”

“…This could result in reduced corneal sensitivity and subsequently damage to the cornea. Long term exposure predisposes the eye to ocular surface disorders such as pterygia, pinguenculae, band keratopathy and climatic drop keratopathy [6]. Ocular surface diseases affect sight as well as quality of life and even blindness if not managed properly.…”

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

“…The mean age in this study population was 37.9 years. This is similar to the reports of community studies done in the same state by Ani et al and Wokoma et al where they reported a similar pattern [5,6]. This likely reflects the visual needs of this age group.…”

“…This likely reflects the visual needs of this age group. More women presented in both the upland and riverine areas than the men, though this was not statistically significant and a similar trend was reported in the study carried out by Ani et al and Onua et al in upland communities [5,7]. This could be due to the fact that women being economically disadvantaged as compared to their male counterparts would be more likely to take up free ophthalmic consultations.…”

“…These climatic and geographical influences may explain certain health predispositions including ocular morbidities. Ocular morbidity across the communities may also be compounded by environmental degradation from petroleum exploration or illegal refining activities in the riverine communities [5].…”