OCULOVISUAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES IN UNIVERSITY OF UYO TEACHING HOSPITAL UYO, AKWAIBOM STATE

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and patterns of ocular complications among diabetic and hypertensive patients, and their correlation with demographic profiles. A total of 338 participants were included in the study. The prevalence of ocular complications among diabetic patients was found to be 86.98%, with diabetic retinopathy being the most common complication (60.54%). Among hypertensive patients, the prevalence of ocular complications was 51.48%, with branch retinal vein occlusion being the most common (26.44%). Statistical analysis revealed significant correlations between demographic profiles and the prevalence of ocular complications. For diabetic patients, there was a statistically significant relationship between gender (p=0.008), age (p=0.002), and type of diabetes (p=0.000) with the prevalence of ocular complications. In contrast, the duration of diabetes did not show a statistically significant correlation (p=0.194). Among hypertensive patients, there was no statistically significant relationship between gender (p=0.196) and the prevalence of ocular complications. However, age (p=0.000) and duration of hypertension (p=0.000) were found to be statistically significant risk factors for developing ocular complications. These findings emphasize the importance of regular eye exams, glycemic, and blood pressure control in managing and preventing ocular complications among diabetic and hypertensive patients. Increased awareness and collaborative care among healthcare providers are also recommended to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of visual impairments related to diabetes and hypertension.