Ocular Manifestations of Hypertension Among Patients at General Hospitals in Benin City, Edo State

Hypertension is a systemic condition with well-documented effects on the eye, including hypertensive retinopathy, arteriovenous nicking, and optic disc changes. This study investigates the ocular manifestations of hypertension among patients attending general hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, situated in Nigeria's South South geopolitical zone. A descriptive cross-sectional design will be used, with 320 hypertensive patients recruited from the outpatient medical departments of the Central Hospital Benin City and one additional public health facility. Patients diagnosed with hypertension for at least one year will be included. Fundoscopic examination using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy will be conducted to assess retinal changes, while blood pressure measurements will be compared with ocular findings using the Keith-Wagener-Barker classification system. Sociodemographic data will be obtained via structured interviews. Analysis will involve descriptive statistics and Spearman's correlation to assess the relationship between blood pressure levels and severity of retinal changes. The study anticipates significant rates of hypertensive retinopathy in participants with poorly controlled blood pressure. Findings will support advocacy for routine eye examinations in hypertension management protocols across public hospitals in Edo State. This research fills an important gap in the literature on systemic ocular co-morbidity in the South South zone and positions optometry as a vital component of holistic hypertension management in Nigeria. Keywords: hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, ocular manifestations, Benin City, fundoscopy