Macular diseases in Ibadan, Nigeria

Retina diseases including the diseases of the macular are underreported in developing countries of sub-Sahara Africa including Nigeria.

A retrospective review of retinal register of cases presenting to the retinal clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan within 4 years (December 2015, to November 2019). Demographics and clinical data of all patients with macula diseases were retrieved. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences IBM (SPSS-IBM), version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA), and reported as frequency distributions and percentages.

A total of 1291 retinal cases were seen during the period under review, out of which 322 cases were diseases of the macula, representing 24.9% of retinal cases seen. The top 3 common causes of macular disease found in the study were dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) 63 (19.6%); Macula oedema 53 (16.5%) and Non-AMD atrophic maculopathy (from Retinitis Pigmentosa, chloroquine maculopathy and hereditary causes) 51 (15.9%) representing more than 50% of cases. Macular holes 48 (14.9%); Non-AMD macular scar (Toxoplasmosis, Trauma) 37 (11.5%) and choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) 26 (8.1%) are other important causes. Idiopathic Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (IPCV) 17 (5.3%) is an emerging cause of macular disease in the retina unit of the University College Hospital Ibadan.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Macular oedema and Non-AMD atrophic maculopathy are major causes of macular disease presentation in the retinal clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. CNVM and IPCV are emerging causes.