Prevalence of Ocular Morbidities in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common lifestyle disorder and endocrine disease in the world. Diabetes related microvascular complications affect the visual system and cause visual disability even in younger age groups. Preventing the ocular complications is considered the best approach to preserve vision. Aim and objective: Assessment of the prevalence of different ocular manifestations in diabetes mellitus. To create awareness about avoidable blindness in diabetic patients and to direct the patient towards further evaluation and follow up. Materials and Methods: The study is a hospital- based , non- interventional, cross-sectional prospective study. The ocular disorders are evaluated in 500 patients attending Ophthalmology out patient department of Kanyakumari govt medical college hospital. Estimation of visual acuity, anterior segment examination, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure, retinoscopy & fundus examination, visual field analysis , gonioscopy are done to detail the defective vision. Results analysis: Data is analysed using SPSS. The common pathological changes in the visual apparatus causing defective vision are diabetic retinopathy- 94 patients (18.8%),Glaucoma- 34(6.8%) ,Cataract380(76%). Other ocular manifestations include episcleritis, keratitis, uveitis, choroidal and vitreoretinal changes, mononeuropathy. The common associated systemic disease is hypertension- 210 patients (42%). Conclusion: Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma and Cataract are the most common manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Patients having cataract can be well managed by cataract extraction techniques. Prime importance is to diagnose the early changes of retinopathy and Glaucoma. A thorough ocular examination( anterior and posterior segment ) following a standard protocol is a must, to prevent vision threatening complications of