Pattern of neuro-ophthalmic disorders in a tertiary eye centre in Nigeria

To determine the incidence and types of neuro-ophthalmic disorders at the eye clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

All the new patients presenting to the eye clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between May 2001 and April 2003 with neuro-ophthalmic disorders were interviewed, examined and investigated when possible. They were analysed in the context of age, gender, diagnosis, major clinical features and visual acuity.

A total of 76 patients with neuro-ophthalmic disorders were seen among a total of 1,698 new patients giving an incidence of 4.47%. The most common disorders were motor nerve palsies (27.6%), optic neuropathies (22.4%) and migraine (14.5%). The most presenting features were poor vision (39.5%), double vision (18.4%) and headache (17.1%). Twenty-nine patients (38.2%) were blind in the affected eye.

The incidence of neuro-ophthalmic disorders is relatively low but constitute a significant cause of ocular morbidity and blindness. Improvement in diagnostic facilities and awareness are required.