Clinicopathological characteristics of ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a 10-year review form a referral tertiary centre in Nigeria

Background: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a heterogeneous group of proliferative squamous lesions on the ocular surface with varying biologic behaviours. This study aims to report the clinical profile and pathological characteristics of cases of OSSN seen at a tertiary referral centre in North West Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of all cases of OSSN diagnosed over a 10-year period was done. Results: OSSN accounted for 68 out of 91 ocular surface lesions affecting twice as many males as females and a peak incidence in the 30–39 years age group. They frequently presented as higher-grade and higher-stage lesions with invasive squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequently diagnosed OSSN. They also frequently showed an association with HIV infection and a relatively long duration of symptoms before presentation. Conclusion: OSSN occurs in a relatively young age group in our environment. Certain clinical and epidemiological features appear to predict the occurrence of higher-grade lesions, and this may help in the clinical prediction of likely pathologic grade and/or biologic behaviour of these lesions.