ABSTRACT

Objective of study: To study the frequency of common ocular presenting complaints of patients coming in outpatient department (OPD) of ophthalmology, in a trust hospital at Lahore

Place and duration: The data of all patients, who attended OPD of ophthalmology department, at Akhter Saeed Trust Hospital of Lahore, was collected, over two years from first March 2019 to 30^th March 2021.

Study design: It was a cross sectional survey. Non-probability conventional sample was used. The data was analyzed by SPSS-25 and presented in forms of bar charts and tables.

Materials& methods: Total 3089 patients were included from previous records of outpatient department of ophthalmology at Akhtar Saeed trust hospital over 02 years from first March 2019 to 30^th March 2021. All patients were examined by a qualified ophthalmologist. Except for patients below 4 years all patients were examined by autorefractometer and non-contact air puff tonometer. Refraction was done by a qualified optometrist. Anterior segment examination was performed on Slit lamp and posterior segment examination done with 90 D lens or indirect ophthalmoscopy performed by ophthalmologist if required after dilating pupil with mydriatic eye drops. Data was entered in SPSS 25 and analyzed.

Results: Total 3089 patients were selected from previous hospital records, who attended OPD department of Ophthalmology, over the period of 2 years from March 2019 to March 2020. Out of total 3089 patients, 1785 (57.79%) were females and 1304 (42.21%) were males. Age range is minimal 1 month to maximum 100 years, mean age is 35.07 years. Most of the patients 1537 (49.76%) needed refraction, 1130 (36.58%) required treatment (topical drops or systemic medication), 368 (11.91%) needed admission and referral to other medical departments of hospitals was required for 54 (1.75%).  Myopia was most common diagnosis found in 590 (19.10%), Presbyopia was second common among diagnosis, found in 565 (18.29%) patients. Conjunctivitis 467 (12.66%), cataract 391 (12.66%) and hypermetropia 168(5.44%) were respectively at third, fourth and fifth number. Dry eye was seen in 122 (3.95%). Frequency wise remaining patients coming in OPD had diagnosis of emmetropia 109 (3.53%) , astigmatism 82 (2.65%), corneal foreign bodies 62 (2.01%), pterygium 51 (1.65%), blepharitis 45 (1.46%), corneal ulcer 43 (1.39%), exophoria 43 (1.39%), glaucoma 41 (1.33%), chalazion 34 (1.10%), diabetic retinopathy 30 (0.97%), stye 26 (0.84%), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) 25 (0.81%), nasolacrimal duct block (NLD) 22 (0.71%) , age related macular degeneration (ARMD) 21 (0.68%), Esotropia 20 (0.65%), vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) 20 (0.65%), amblyopia 18 (0.58%), corneal opacities 16 (0.52%), pre septal cellulitis 16 (0.52%), subconjunctival hemorrhage 15 (0.48%), Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) 12 (0.39%), dacryocystitis 6 (0.19%), hypertensive retinopathy 6 (0.19%), keratoconus 5 (0.16%), Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) 5 (0.16%), chemical burn 3 (0.09%), macular hole 3(0.09%) and proptosis 3 (0.09%).

Conclusion: The myopic refractive error was most frequent eye disease encountered. Increasing prevalence of this refractive error specially in younger age group is associated with multifactorial etiologies. Regular screening can reduce ocular morbidity. Cataract, conjunctivitis and presbyopia were among other frequent diagnosis in patients. There is need of educating general population regarding importance of eye protection during working hours and developing better ocular habits to avoid acquired myopia. Female patients were more than male patients. The data results can help medical educationists to include common ocular ailments in curriculum of undergraduate medical students.