PATTERN OF OCULAR MORBIDITIES IN PATIENTS ATTENDING OPHTHALMOLOGY OPD

Abstract

Introduction: Ocular morbidities constitute a significant proportion of outpatient attendances in ophthalmology departments and represent an important cause of visual impairment and reduced quality of life. Understanding the pattern of ocular diseases in ophthalmology outpatient departments (OPD) helps in planning preventive strategies and allocating healthcare resources effectively. Aims: To study the pattern of ocular morbidities among patients attending the Ophthalmology OPD. Materials and Methods:  This study was designed as a hospital-based observational cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Chinthareddypalem, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was carried out over a period of one year. The study population included all patients attending the Ophthalmology OPD with various ocular complaints during the study period. A total sample size of 100 patients was included for analysis. Results: In the present study, a total of 100 patients were evaluated, out of which 50 were diabetic and 50 were non-diabetic. Among diabetic patients, 18 patients (36%) had DR while 32 patients (64%) did not show any evidence of DR. In contrast, among non-diabetic patients, only 2 patients (4%) had DR whereas 48 patients (96%) were free from DR changes. The association between diabetes status and presence of diabetic retinopathy was found to be highly statistically significant with a p value of <0.0001. Conclusion: The pattern of ocular morbidities in OPD patients shows that refractive errors and cataract remain the leading causes of eye-related complaints. Early detection and timely management through regular eye screening programs can significantly reduce the burden of avoidable visual impairment.