Evaluation of Ophthalmology Inpatients Consultation in a Nigerian Tertiary Eye Care Centre.

BACKGROUND

Ophthalmology consultations are more thorough on outpatient basis, but inpatient evaluation cannot be over looked especially in terms of care of patients admitted in other specialties.

OBJECTIVES

This is to assess the profile of inpatient consultation and eye problems evaluated and managed by the ophthalmology department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

METHODS

All consecutive inpatients who had ophthalmic consultations requested for by various departments in the hospital between July 2018 and June 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 227 inpatient consultations with 217 diagnoses were seen. Most of the patients were between the ages of 20-39 years. The highest number of consults (50.7%) were received from the medical wards. The most common reasons for ophthalmic inpatient consultations were reduction in vision (26.7%), eye pain (19.9%) and ocular screening which was ocular examination for patients with raised intracranial pressure, hypertension, diabetes and glaucoma (15.4%). Based on subspecialties, anterior segment and cornea unit received the highest number of consults (41.9%) while retina/ uveitis received the highest (58.7%) number of screening consultation.

CONCLUSION

Inpatient consultations is very useful to the patient and managing physician. Although a better knowledge in the identification of common ophthalmic conditions can help to reduce the number of inpatient consults from other medical specialties.