Frequency of Common Eye Diseases in Pediatric Outpatient Department of A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the frequency of common eye diseases in children
attending outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.
Material and Methods: A total of 186 patients with complaints of reduced vision,
redness, itching and watering of eyes were included in this study. Detailed
examination was done at Department of Ophthalmology, Abbasi Shaheed
Hospital, Karachi. Six months from 1st August 2013 to 31st January 2014.
Refraction was performed under cycloplegia. Anterior segment was examined
with the help of direct ophthalmoscope and slit lamp. Posterior segment
examination was performed after dilating pupil with mydriatic drops using direct
and indirect ophthalmoscopes. Intraocular pressure was checked where needed.
All information was entered in proforma. Data was analyzed on SPSS 10. Mean
and standard deviation were computed for age. Frequency and percentages
were computed for categorical variables like conjunctivitis, vernal
keratoconjunctivitis, nasolacrimal duct blockage, hypermetropia and myopia.
Results: Frequency of commonest eye disease was conjunctivitis i.e. 41.3%
followed by nasolacrimal duct blockage 25.8%, vernal keratoconjunctivitis
16.1%, hypermetropia 9.1% and myopia 7.5%.
Conclusion: The most common eye problem was conjunctivitis. Nasolacrimal
duct blockage presented the second most common cause of pediatric
ophthalmic disorder. Males were more affected than females.
Key Words: Eye diseases, conjunctivitis, nasolacrimal, keratoconjunctivitis.