The Prevalence of Various Eye Diseases Among Patients of Different Nationalities attending the Ophthalmology Clinic at a Tertiary Care United Nations Hospital: A 5 Year Retrospective Analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Eye diseases incidence and prevalence varieswith the social and environmental factors. Present researchaimed to study the prevalence of various common eye diseasesat a Tertiary Care United Nations hospital.Material and methods: It is a retrospective study of all newpatients attending the eye OPD of a tertiary care UN hospitalduring three years period Sept 2007 to Aug 2012. All patientsunderwent a thorough routine eye examination involvingvision testing by Snellen’s chart, Refraction, Tonometry, Slitlamp examination of Anterior Segment, Fundus examinationand Color Vision. Cases were also subjected to automatedperimetry, laboratory and radiological investigations ifconsidered essential.Results: A total of 217 (401) new patients attended theeye clinic. Patients attending the eye clinic were of variednationality which included patients from India, Pakistan, SouthAfrica, Uruguay, Congo, England, Iraq, Italy, Bangladesh,Netherlands, Nepal, USA etc. The three most commoncauses of eye disorders were refractive error followed byallergic conjunctivitis and Presbyopia. However, cases ofOnchocerciasis were also seen especially in those belongingto Congo. Mostly the patients were in the age group of 30-40yrs (35.4%) and 40-50 yrs (41.01%) being active militarysoldiers. Presbyopia was more common in age group 40-50yrsof age (73.3%). Majority of patients were mainly extra ocularcases (95.4%).Conclusion: The pattern of prevalence of various oculardiseases is similar to other parts of world in this age groupand with a similar occupational profile. This study will go along way in ensuring optimum provisioning of eye health carepersonnel’s and equipment for efficient eye care services.