Oculoplastic Surgeons’ Demographic Mapping in Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Oculoplastic surgery is a subspecialty of ophthalmology involved in the management of diseases, tumors, and deformities of the orbit, lacrimal system, and eyelids. This subspecialty also plays an important role in the cosmetic surgery of the face in both young and elderly patients. Aim: This study aims to determine the number of oculoplastic surgeons in Nigeria per geopolitical zone and state. Methods: We analyzed the registration database of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria and the records of the Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Association of Nigeria as of September 2024. Nigerian population demographic data per state and the Federal Capital Territory were obtained from the 2024 Worldometer population estimates. Results: The Nigerian population of approximately 230 million is served by 396 ophthalmologists. There was one ophthalmologist for every 578,624 inhabitants. There were 57 oculoplastic surgeons in Nigeria, corresponding to a ratio of one oculoplastic surgeon per 4,019,917 people. There were more ophthalmologists in southern Nigeria (72.2%) than in the northern Nigeria (27.8%). Similarly, there were more oculoplastic surgeons in southern Nigeria (63.2%) than in the northern Nigeria (36.8%). There were more oculoplastic surgeons in Southwest Nigeria (21), and only one in the northeast zone. Lagos State had the highest number of oculoplastic surgeons in Nigeria. Conclusion: There are geographical disparities in the distribution of oculoplastic surgeons in Nigeria. There are more oculoplastic surgeons and ophthalmologists in the southern geopolitical zones of Nigeria. There is a need for the government and other stakeholders in eye care to work together to mitigate inequalities in the distribution of oculoplastic surgeons in Nigeria.