Treatment Options and Referral Pattern among Patients with Retinal Diseases Attending an Eye clinic in a Tertiary institution, North Central Nigeria.

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of the study was to determine the treatment modalitiesand pattern of referral of patients with retinal diseases in the eye clinic.Methods:All consenting new patients attending the eye clinic were recruitedfor the study and interviewed by the author. The treatment offered to theparticipants diagnosed with retinal disease (medical, surgical, LASER,optical or a combination) was recorded. Information on the patient’s referralfor vitreoretinal consultation (this could be ‘yes’ or ‘no’) and reasons for thereferral were also documented and analyzed.Results:Treatment options for the 278 study participants were: medical for100 (36%), optical for 94 (33.8%), surgical for 24 (8.6%), LASER photo-coagulation for 6 (2.2%) and a combination of LASER photocoagulationand intravitreal avastin injection for 20 (7.2%) patients. Counselling andwatchful expectancy accounted for the treatment of 34 (12.2%) patients.Seventy-four patients of the 278 included in the study had retinal diseases. Ofthese 74 with retinal diseases, 46 (62.2%) were referred to vitreoretinal units,out of which 39 (84.8%) patients were referred to the vitreoretinal unit inthe Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and 7 (15.2%) were referredto vitreoretinal units elsewhere. The referrals were largely on account ofthe unavailability of requisite equipment in 3 (42.8%) patients, surgicalexpertise in 2 (28.6%) patients, and patient requests in 2 (28.6%) cases.Conclusion:The need for the establishment of standard vitreoretinalservices strategically in each geo-political zone of Nigeria to cater moreefficiently to the needs of patients with retinal diseases and appropriatereferral cannot be overemphasized.