Pattern of Common Eye Diseases in Children in a Tertiary Eye Hospital, Karachi

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the pattern of common eye diseases in the children visiting
tertiary eye hospital Karachi.
Material and Methods: A random cross sectional survey was conducted during
two weeks and data was recorded through a performa containing details of bio
data, personal history, presenting complains, aided and un aided visual acuity,
refractive error and signs of eye and adnexa and ocular alignment. Data was
analyzed using SPSS 16.0.
Results: A total of 250 patients were examined out of which male patients were
52.8% and females constitutes 47.2%. Majority of patients 40.8% belonged to
the age group 1 – 6 years. VKC 24.8% was the most common ocular morbidity
found followed by squint 15.2%, refractive error 14.8%, NLD blockage 14.0%,
congenital cataract 6.0%, amblyopia 4.4%, infective conjunctivitis 4.4%,
blephritis 4.0%, convergence insufficiency 4.0% ptosis 2.4%, traumatic cataract
2.0%, chalazion 1.6%, corneal opacity 1.6%, keratitis and stye each 0.4%.
Conclusion: Vernal catarrh was the most common ocular morbidity encountered
in the study with male preponderance. Further studies are required to find out
the etiology and risk factors associated with it.
Key Words: Common Eyes, Congenital Cataract, Keratitis