Patterns of Systemic Comorbidities in Patients Presenting With Cataract in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Author(s): Avleen Kaur*
Abstract
Introduction: Cataract is a gradually progressive disease of the eye which is defined as the clouding of the normally clear lens or its capsule. It is a significant cause of blindness around the world which requires removal of cataract by surgical means. The results of cataract surgery can be significantly impacted by the presence of a variety of preoperative systemic disorders. In India, age-related cataracts that require surgery are increasingly prevalent, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart problems are becoming more and more common. Aim: To determine the pattern of systemic comorbidities and study the sociodemographic characteristics in patients presenting with cataract. Material and methods: This prospective, hospital based, observational study was conducted in the eye OPD OF Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College Jammu over a period of 1 year from November 2021 to October 2022. A total of 500 patients were included in the study. Data was collected using a structured proforma and analysed using SPSS inc. v.16. Results: The present study found that the most common affected age group to be 61 to 70 years with females (53.6%) preponderance. The majorities (62.2%) of participants were from rural area and hypertension was the most common associated systemic comorbidity in our study patients (10.6%). Conclusion: It is essential to properly manage and evaluate systemic comorbidities prior to cataract surgery in order to prevent any pre-operative, intra operative or post-operative visual outcomes in such patients. Adequate measures should be undertaken wherever possible in order to enhance visual results.