Patients' Acceptance of Glaucoma Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prcis: Patients' acceptance of glaucoma therapy was high overall in this study, but lower for surgery than for laser or medical therapy. Fear and cost were the leading reasons why patients declined recommended therapy and they were treatment-specific. Cost was the primary reason for declining medical and laser therapy, while fear was the most common reason for declining surgical therapy.

Glaucoma Treatment Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prcis: Physicians were most likely to recommend primary medical therapy upon diagnosis of glaucoma. Laser therapy was underutilized where they were available. Physicians were more likely to recommend surgery in severe glaucoma, laser therapy in mild glaucoma, while recommendation of medical therapy did not depend on glaucoma severity.

Clinical Characteristics and Stage at Presentation of Glaucoma Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prcis: The initial presentation of glaucoma varies meaningfully across SSA. A comprehensive strategy with regional customization based on local differences is needed to reduce glaucoma blindness in SSA.

Purpose: To explore regional variations in the presentation of newly diagnosed glaucoma in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA).

Prevalence and risk factors for lens opacities in Nigeria: results of the national blindness and low vision survey.

Purpose: Investigate prevalence and risk factors for lens opacities among a nationally representative sample of Nigerians aged ≥ 40 years.

Methods: Across 305 clusters, 13,591 adults were examined. Every seventh participant (n = 1722) was sampled systematically and examined in detail, including lens opacity grading.

Posterior segment eye disease in sub-Saharan Africa: review of recent population-based studies.

Objective: To assess the burden of posterior segment eye diseases (PSEDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We reviewed published population-based data from SSA and other relevant populations on the leading PSED, specifically glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, as causes of blindness and visual impairment in adults. Data were extracted from population-based studies conducted in SSA and elsewhere where relevant.

Prevalence and risk factors for hypertension and association with ethnicity in Nigeria: results from a national survey.

Objective: Non-communicable diseases are now a global priority. We report on the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors, including ethnicity, in a nationally representative sample of Nigerian adults recruited to a survey of visual impairment.

Methods: multi-stage, stratified, cluster random sample with probability proportional to size procedures was used to obtain a nationally representative sample of 13 591 subjects aged ≥ 40 years.

Quality of life and visual function in Nigeria: findings from the National Survey of Blindness and Visual Impairment.

Aims: To assess associations of visual function (VF) and quality of life (QOL) by visual acuity (VA), causes of blindness and types of cataract procedures in Nigeria.

Methods: Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to identify a nationally representative sample of persons aged ≥ 40 years. VF/QOL questionnaires were administered to participants with VA <6/60 in one or both eyes and/or Mehra-Minassian cataract grade 2B or 3 in one or both eyes and a random sample of those with bilateral VA ≥ 6/12.

The Nigerian national blindness and visual impairment survey: Rationale, objectives and detailed methodology.

Background: Despite having the largest population in Africa, Nigeria has no accurate population based data to plan and evaluate eye care services. A national survey was undertaken to estimate the prevalence and determine the major causes of blindness and low vision. This paper presents the detailed methodology used during the survey.