COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMINATION IN OUT-REACH CAMP PATIENTS REFERRED FOR CATARACT SURGERY- AN EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING OCULAR COMORBIDITIES IN COMMUNITIES.

Abstract

Introduction:

Modern cataract surgery aims to provide optimum visual acuity to the patient according to his requirements and with early visual rehabilitation. A detailed evaluation before cataract surgery can help in planning proper interventions, preventing post-operative visual impairment, and appropriate patient counseling. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ocular co-morbidities in outreach camp patients referred for cataract surgery.

Materials and methods:

This retrospective study was conducted among patients admitted to Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India. Patient details were obtained from hospital records from January 2021 to January 2022. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results:

A total of 3109 patients were considered out of which 1060 (34.1%) presented with some comorbidities other than cataracts. Retinopathy comprised of 26.4% followed by pterygium (24.8%) and post cataract surgery complications (10.4%). Glaucoma was present in 8.5% while nearly 7% presented with corneal involvement and 6.04% with uveitis and its sequel.

Conclusion:

A comprehensive examination of patients referred from camps can be a cost-effective and efficient tool to identify the hidden ocular diseases in the community. It not only aids in identifying but also provides optimum management of the comorbidities to provide maximum benefit to the patients.

Recommendation:

A thorough examination of patients with ocular comorbidities can help in identifying the ocular diseases earlier and planning their management efficiently.