The epidemiology and disease pattern of pediatric ocular morbidities in Western India: The National Institute of OphthalMology AmBlyopia StUdy in Indian Paediatric EyeS (NIMBUS) study report 1

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To determine the pattern of pediatric ocular morbidities in western India. Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal study that included all consecutive children aged ?15 years who presented to the outpatient department of a tertiary eye center for the first time. Patient demographics, best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and ocular examination data were compiled. Subgroup analysis was also performed based on age group (years) ?5, 5–10, and >10–15. Results: A total of 11,126 eyes of 5563 children were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 5.15 (±3.32) years with males (57.07%) being predominant. Approximately half of the patients (50.19%) were under the age of 5 years, followed by those aged 5–10 years (45.1%) and >10–15 years (4.71%). Among the study eyes, the BCVA was ?20/60 in 58.57%, indeterminable in 35.16%, and <20/60 in 6.71%. The commonest ocular morbidity noted was refractive error (28.97%) followed by allergic conjunctivitis (7.64%) and strabismus (4.95%) in the total study cohort and also after age stratification. Conclusion: Refractive error, allergic conjunctivitis, and strabismus are the major causes of ocular morbidity in pediatric eyes at a tertiary care center. Planning screening programs at the regional and national levels is crucial to decreasing the burden of eye disorders. These programs also need to have a suitable referral mechanism established and be smoothly connected to primary and secondary health?care centers. This will help to assure quality eye care delivery, while also reducing the strain of overworked tertiary centers.