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.
References
- Gilbert C, Jugnoo SR, Graham EQ. Visual impairment and blindness in children. In: Gordon JJ, Darwin CM, Robert AW, Sheila KW, editors. The Epidemiology of Eye Diseases. 2nd ed. London: Arnold; 2003. pp. 260–283.
- Catherine UU. Pattern of ocular morbidity in Nigeria. Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013;3:164-166.
- WHO fact sheet on visual impairment and blindness. [16/07/2012].
- Arvind C, Clare G. When your eye patient is a child. Community Eye Health Journal. 2010;23(72):1–3.
- VISION 2020: The Right to Sight: Global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness: action plan 2006–2011. Geneva: WHO; 2007.
- Gilbert C, Rahi J, Quinn G. Visual impairment and blindness in children. In: Johnson, Minassian, Weale, West, eds. Epidemiology of Eye Disease. 2nd edition. London: Arnold Publishers, 2003.
- Pi LH, Lin Chen L, Liu Q, Ning Ke N, Fang J, Zhang S, et al. Prevalence of eye diseases and causes of visual impairment in school-aged children in Western China. J Epidemiol. 22(1):37-44.
- Adio AO, Alikor A, Awoyesuku E. Survey of pediatric ophthalmic diagnoses in a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Niger J Med 2011;20:105-8
- Rushood AA, Azmat S, Shariq M, Khamis A, Lakho KA, Jadoon MZ, et al. Ocular disorders among schoolchildren in Khartoum State, Sudan. East Mediterr Health J 2013;19:282-8.
- KamaliA, Whitworth JAG, Ruberantwari A, Mulwanyi F, Acakara M,et al. (1999)Causes and prevalence of non-vision impairing ocular conditions among a rural adult population in SW Uganda. Ophthalmic epidemiology 6: 41-48.
- Visual Impairment and Blindness Fact Sheet No. 282. 2012. Jun, [Last accessed on 2015 June 20].
- Gupta M, Gupta PB, Chauhan A, Bhardwaj A. Ocular morbidity prevalence among school children in Shimla, Himachal, North India. IndianJ Ophthalmol 2009;57:133-8.
- Nepal BP, Koirala S, Adhikary S, Sharma AK. Ocular morbidity in school children in Kathmandu. Br J Ophthalmol 2003;87:531-4.
- Onakpoya OH, Adeoye AO. Childhood eye diseases in southwestern Nigeria: A tertiary hospital study. Clinics 2009;64:947-51.
- Kumar R, Dabas P, Mehra M, Ingle GK, Saha R, Kamlesh. Ocular morbidity amongst primary school children in Delhi. Health Popul Perspect Issues 2007;30:222-9.
- Pratab VB, Lal HB. Pattern of pediatric ocular problem in North India. Indian J Ophthalmol 1989;37:171-2.
- Khurana AK, Sikka KL, Parmar IP, Aggarwal SK. Ocular morbidity among school children in Rohtak city. Indian J Public Health 1984;28:217-20.
- Hall A, Shillo B. Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis. Community Eye Health 2005;53:76-8
- Gilbert C, Foster A. Childhood blindness in the context of VISION 2020—the right to sight. Bull World Health Organ. 2001;79(3):227–232.
- Rapoport I, Romem M, Kinek M, Koval R, Teller J, Belkin M, et al. Eye Injuries in Children in Israel. A Nationwide collaborative Study. Arch Ophthalmol 1990;108:376-9.
Corresponding Author
Prateek Koul
Senior Resident, VCGS Government Medical College, Srinagar, Uttrakhand, India
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i5.164
