Retinal diseases in Nigerians--a preliminary report.

Of 595 new patients seen in the Eye Clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, twenty-seven had retinal diseases, a prevalence of 4.5% Seven of these patients had retinopathy associated with sickle cell haemoglobinopathy and another seven had macular degenerations. Other causes of retinal diseases are analysed and the findings compared with reports from other countries. It is suggested that haemoglobin electrophoretic fractionation should be done in young Nigerians presenting with retinal diseases.