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 visitingtertiary eye hospital Karachi.Material and Methods: A random cross sectional survey was conducted duringtwo weeks and data was recorded through a performa containing details of biodata, personal history, presenting complains, aided and un aided visual acuity,refractive error and signs of eye and adnexa and ocular alignment. Data wasanalyzed using SPSS 16.0.Results: A total of 250 patients were examined out of which male patients were52.8% and females constitutes 47.2%. Majority of patients 40.8% belonged tothe age group 1 – 6 years. VKC 24.8% was the most common ocular morbidityfound 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 cataract2.0%, chalazion 1.6%, corneal opacity 1.6%, keratitis and stye each 0.4%.Conclusion: Vernal catarrh was the most common ocular morbidity encounteredin the study with male preponderance. Further studies are required to find outthe etiology and risk factors associated with it.Key Words: Common Eyes, Congenital Cataract, Keratitis