Is age-related macular degeneration a problem in Ibadan, Sub-Saharan Africa?

Tunji Sunday Oluleye
Retina and Vitreous Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is considered uncommon in black populations including those of Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this review was to determine the pattern of presentation of AMD in our hospital located in Ibadan, the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: A retrospective review of all cases with AMD presenting to the Eye and Retinal Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, West Africa was undertaken between October 2007 and September 2010.
Results: In the 3 years reviewed, 768 retinal cases were seen in the hospital, 101 (14%) of which were diagnosed with AMD. The peak age was 60–79 years. The male to female ratio was approximately 2:3. More males presented with the advanced form of dry AMD than females (odds ratio = 2.33). However, more females had advanced wet AMD than males (odds ratio = 1.85). Wet AMD was seen in 40 cases (40%).
Conclusion: The review determined that, as AMD is not uncommon and wet AMD is relatively more common in our hospital than has been reported previously, this is probably true of Ibadan in general.

Keywords: age-related maculopathy, choroidal neovascular membrane, retinal, vitreoretinal, drusen