Outcome of Visual Screening of Hospital Workers in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, South–South Nigeria

Background: The World Glaucoma Week (WGW) is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patients Association (WGPA) to raise awareness of glaucoma. As part of the celebration in 2013, the department of Ophthalmology University of Uyo Teaching Hospital organized a two-day free eye screening exercise for the staff of the hospital to determine the visual health status.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study of hospital workers in tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Participants who consented to vision screening had preliminary interview and ocular examination. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Test of statistical significance was with the chi-square test. Observed difference whose probability of occurring by chance (p-value<0.05) was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 401 patients were analyzed comprising 121 males and 280 females with a ratio of 1:2.3. Age range was 18 years to 66 years with a mean 39.8±9.2 years. Absolute glaucoma was recorded in 5 patients (1.2%), 71 patients (17.7%) were glaucoma suspects and 19 patients (4.7%) had glaucoma. Refractive error diagnosed in 167 (41.6%) was the commonest finding. There was strong, positive correlation between cup/disc ratio and intraocular pressure in the right eye p=0.021, p=0.006, which were statistically significant.

Conclusion: The study underscores the need for hospital workers to have routine vision screening with such exercises serving as avenues for health education.