TITLE:
Managing Macular Holes in a Developing Economy
AUTHORS:
Bassey Fiebai, Chinyere N. Pedro-Egbe
KEYWORDS:
Developing Economy, Macula Hole, Pattern, Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.5 No.3,
August
19,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Macular holes are the common cause of visual impairment especially in the elderly and have a variety of etiological factors. The advances in the management of macular holes are encouraging and are now available in developing countries although scarce, where hitherto; patients seek attention outside their country. The need to understand this disease has therefore become pertinent in all retina clinics. Objective: To evaluate the pattern of presentation of macular holes and its management in a retina clinic in South South Nigeria. Methods: A 5 year retrospective, non comparative review of 24 consecutive cases presenting to a retinal clinic was carried out. Relevant information was extracted from the medical records and analyzed. Results: Three hundred and sixty four cases were seen between January 2009 and December 2013. Twenty four cases had macular holes and ten (41.7%) had bilateral presentation with a total of 34 eyes. The incidence of macular holes was 6.6%. The mean age was 46 years (SD ± 13.42) with a female preponderance, 5:1. Idiopathic holes formed the bulk of the cases 14(58.3%); others were trauma 4(16.7%), posterior uveitis 2, (8.3%), chemotherapy 2 (8.3%), Solar retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa 1 (4.2%). Nineteen (55.9%) of the 34 eyes were visually impaired (BCVA