Spectrum of corneal pathology in 1000 cases at cornea department of Al-shifa Trust eye hospital, Rawalpindi

ABSTRACT

Corneal diseases are among major causes of blindness in the world. Spectrum of corneal diseases varies from country to country. A retrospective analysis of 1000 consecutive new patients who presented at cornea clinic of Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital, Rawalpindi during the year 200 is being presented. Out of these 1000 patients, 642 were male and 358 were female. Corneal scar, keratoconus and corneal ulcer/abscess were three leading presentations seen in 30, 14 and 10% of the cases respectively. Other pathologies seen were herpitic corneal disease [7%], vernal keratoconjunctivitis [6.7%], bullous keratoplasty [6.7%], corneal degeneration [4.7%], dry eye [2%], trachoma [1.4%] and miscellaneous [8.6%]. Corneal scar was mostly present in patients between 16-70 years of age. Keratoconus was mostly seen in patients younger than 40 years of age. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis had a peak in patients under 15 years. Prevalence of corneal abscess/ulcer gradually increases through early age, peaking at about 50 years. We therefore conclude that most of the corneal diseases in our area are either preventable or treatable with better prevention and treatment strategies at primary health care level. A significant number of patients losing their sight as a result of these pathologies can benefit from corneal transplant. Although many eye care facilities in the country have got adequate infra structure and expertise for corneal transplant, lack of availability of donor cornea is the major limiting factor. Hence, attention should be given to motivation of masses for corneal donation and establishment of eye banks in our country