Spectrum of Ocular Diseases in a Tertiary Eye Care Center: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Ocular diseases remain one of the major public health problems worldwide and continue to contribute significantly to visual impairment and avoidable blindness. Although many of these conditions are preventable or treatable, late presentation and lack of awareness still leads to considerable morbidity. Understanding the local pattern of ocular diseases is therefore essential for planning appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Objective: To determine the frequency, pattern, and demographic distribution of ocular morbidities among patients attending a tertiary care specialist eye hospital.
Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted over one year in the ophthalmology outpatient department. Sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula, yielding a minimum of 384; however, all eligible patients were included to improve precision. A total of 1,749 participants of all ages and both genders were enrolled by consecutive sampling. Detailed history and comprehensive ophthalmic examination including visual acuity testing, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, tonometry, and fundus evaluation were performed. Ocular conditions were categorized clinically. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and associations between categorical variables were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 1,749 participants, females (59%) outnumbered males (41%). Majority belonged to the 16–40 years (41.6%) and ≥41 years (41.2%) age groups. Occupational status showed significant association with gender (p<0.001). Diabetes and hypertension were distributed almost equally between genders. Conjunctivitis constituted the most common ocular morbidity, followed by cataract, refractive errors, and glaucoma. Advanced cataract, glaucoma, corneal ulcer, and ocular trauma were significantly more frequent in males (p<0.05). Several other anterior segment disorders showed near equal gender distribution. Increasing age demonstrated higher prevalence of cataract and glaucoma.
Conclusion: The study shows that most ocular morbidities presenting at tertiary care level are preventable or treatable conditions, yet they continue to cause significant burden due to delayed presentation. Elderly population and males were more affected with severe pathologies like glaucoma, trauma, and advanced cataract. Early screening, public awareness, and strengthening of primary eye care services are necessary to reduce avoidable blindness and improve visual outcomes in the community.
Keywords: Ocular morbidity; Cataract; Glaucoma; Refractive errors; Conjunctivitis; Visual impairment; Cross-sectional study; Tertiary eye care