ABSTRACT
Person with thalassemia major may have severe symptoms and may need regular blood transfusions. Iron overload is due to repeated blood transfusions and enhanced iron absorption by gastrointestinal tract and also creates negative impact on the organs function. We aimed to study the ocular changes in beta thalassemia major at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 234 patients diagnosed with beta thalassemia major, receiving multiple blood transfusions as a part of treatment were included. Patient brief history was taken, along with family history. Complete eye examination done. Ocular examination done by measuring visual acuity, refractive error assessment with autorefractometer, slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, perimetry, tonometry, color vision testing and tear break up time (TBUT) test. Results: A total of 234 beta thalassemia major patients of both sexes were evaluated, among them 132 (56.4%) were males and 102 (43.5%)were females. The mean age of thalassemic study population was 25.6±6.3. Most commonly observed were pinguecula (44%), visual field defects (40.5%), vascular tortuosity (39.3%), dry eye (33.3%), Refractive error (20.5%), Anterior segment involvement (18.8%), Cataract (13.2%), color vision defect (5.1%), normalization of optical vessels (4%). Conclusion: Regular Opthalmological examination helps to detect early changes due to disease and chelating agents. Issue of iron overload among thalassemic patients can be reduced by decreasing the need or the frequency of blood transfusions.