Pattern of retinal diseases in Lagos

Although primary retinal detachments occur infrequently in Africans, retinal diseases are not so uncommon. Ninety-two out of 1,723 patients seen in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic had retinal diseases, a prevalence of 5.3%. We have seen most of the diseases described in other countries but while sicklemia retinopathy and various types of tapetoretinal dystrophy constitute a problem, hypertensive and diabetic retinopathies are infrequently seen. Retinoblastoma is the only tumor encountered so far and would appear to be sporadic. Positive family histories are difficult to obtain in our patients. It is anticipated that more retinal diseases will be diagnosed as more people become literate and notice slight to moderate visual loss.