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Category: Volume 07 Issue 05 May 2019
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Title: Pattern of Eye Diseases in Children Visiting Ophthalmology Outpatient Department in Government Medical College Jammu: An Observational Study

Authors: Vijayta Gupta, Prateek Koul, Anuj Bhatti

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i5.164

Abstract

Background: Ocular morbidities in children can have a serious impact on development, education and quality of life in children hence require prompt attention. The aim of the present study is to identify the pattern and frequency of eye diseases in children£16 years of age visiting eye OPD at GMC Jammu.

Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational and retrospective study involving all the new cases presenting to the outpatient department over a 6-month period from 1st November 2018 to April 30th, 2019. 1310 children of ≤16 years of age who presented to Out Patient Department (OPD), Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu were enrolled. The children were divided into three groups: 0-5 years, 6-12 years and 13-16 years for evaluating the various ocular diseases in different age groups. Routine ophthalmic examination including the Snellen's chart, refraction, tonometry, slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment and fundus examination was done. Data on age, sex, final diagnosis was recorded after taking the verbal consent and analysed in detailed.

Results:  A total of 1310 patients were seen during this period, out of which 708 (54.04%) were males and 602 (45.95%) were females. Refractive error was most common ocular problem found in 422 (32.21%) children. It was followed by allergic conjunctivitis 318 (24.27%) children and infectious conjunctivitis 208 (15.88%). Other common cases of ocular morbidity were squint 107 (8.17%), adnexial diseases which include blepharitis, ptosis, stye and chlazion81(6.1%), nasolacrimal duct obstruction 73 (5.57%), ocular injuries 28(2.14%), amblyopia 16 (1.22%) and congenital cataract 12 (0.91%).Also, optic atrophy 8 (0.61%), orbital cellulitis and preseptal cellulitis 4 ( 0.30%), coloboma 5 (0.38%), vitamin A deficiency 3 (0.23%) and infectious keratitis 3 (0.23%) were  detected in children in our study.  Case of congenital glaucoma and uveitis were reported in one patient each (0.08%).

Conclusion: The pattern of eye diseases varies according to the climatic conditions, state of nutrition, hygiene, immune state of the patient and early diagnosis and treatment.. It was found that majority of the diseases were treatable and early intervention should be done. Our study will be helpful in planning, management, and prevention of blindness.

Keywords: Ocular morbidity, pattern, oular morbidity, Refractive errors.

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Corresponding Author

Prateek Koul

Senior Resident, VCGS Government Medical College, Srinagar, Uttrakhand, India