Vitreous Hemorrhage in Nigerians

Abstract

Abstract Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence, causes, and systemic associations of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) among Nigerians. Materials and Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2018. Data were obtained from patients diagnosed with retinal diseases at the general outpatient and retinal clinics of four eye departments in Nigeria. Patient histories were collected. All patients underwent visual acuity and comprehensive ocular examinations. VH was diagnosed clinically. Patients diagnosed with dense VH underwent ultrasonography. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22. Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were calculated. Significance tests were conducted using Pearson’s chi-square test. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 8614 patients were examined, among whom 80 eyes of 78 patients were diagnosed with VH. The hospital-based prevalence was 0.9%. The mean age at presentation was 50.44 ± 16.4 years. Males accounted for 62.8%, while females accounted for 37.2%. At presentation, 72.5% of the affected eyes were blind. The cause of VH remained unknown in 37.5% of the cases. The most common causes of VH included proliferative diabetic retinopathy (22.5%), trauma (15.5%), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (8.8%), proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (5%), and posterior vitreous detachment (5%). The most prevalent associated systemic disease among patients was hypertension (43.6%). Conclusion: The majority of patients presented with blindness. In some cases, the cause of VH could not be identified. This underscores the necessity to improve access to vitrectomy facilities in Nigeria.