Pattern of presentation of Macula holes in Ibadan, South-western, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Macula holes are defects in the fovea involving the inner limiting membrane up to the photoreceptor layer.1 Different local studies in Nigeria have shown prevalence of 6.6 % and 0.5% respectively. The common risk factors include age and female gender. Central visual loss is a common feature while bilaterality may be seen in about 30% of patients with macula holes. Aim: To describe the pattern of presentation, aetiology and risk factors of patients with macula holes seen at the retina clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with macula hole diagnosed both clinically and with the aid of optical coherence imaging between the period January 2019 to December 2020. The demographic data, best corrected visual acuity, presenting complaints, and other relevant data relating to co-existing ocular & systemic co morbidities were retrieved from patients’ case notes. Optical coherence tomography scans from the SOCT Copernicus machine where available were retrieved and interpreted. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS Version 23. Results: Thirty-nine (4%) of 972 patients seen in the retina clinic during the study period had a diagnosis of macula hole. Twenty of the respondents were females and 19 were males giving a male to female ratio of 0.95:1. The mean age was 62.3 years (SD 15.1). Forty- three eyes were involved as five of the patients had bilateral macula holes. The age range of the respondents was 11 - 81 years.