Pattern of Ocular Manifestations in Diabetic Patients at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease with significant ocular complications, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma, all of which contribute to preventable blindness in Nigeria. This study examines the pattern of ocular manifestations among diabetic patients attending the diabetes clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, South East Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based design will be adopted over a six-month period. Consecutive adult patients with confirmed type 2 diabetes will undergo comprehensive ophthalmic examination including visual acuity testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, and fundoscopy. Clinical findings will be correlated with duration of diabetes, glycaemic control status, and antidiabetic medication history obtained from case records and structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis will be used for data interpretation. Evidence from recent Nigerian studies indicates that diabetic retinopathy affects between 30 and 50 percent of diabetic patients in tertiary hospital settings, with many cases presenting late. This study generates site-specific data for UNTH and emphasises the urgent need for routine ophthalmic screening integrated into diabetes management protocols in South East Nigeria. Findings will also inform ophthalmology training curricula on common comorbidities and empower clinicians to advocate for multidisciplinary diabetes care. Early detection and timely referral remain central to preventing diabetes-related blindness in resource-constrained environments. Keywords: diabetic retinopathy, ocular complications, diabetes mellitus, UNTH Enugu, diabetic blindness