A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON CORNEAL DISEASES AT A TERTIARY EYE HOSPITAL

Aim: To study the patterns of corneal diseases in out-patients department of ophthalmology at tertiary care centre. Materials & Methods: A retrospective study of the patients who presented to the ophthalmology department between 2019 July to 2021 July was done with the help of the data received from the hospital recording system. 176 Patients with only corneal disease were included. Those with corneal disease along with other ocular disease were excluded from the study. A detailed analysis was done for the same. Results: 1. The prevalence of corneal blindness was significantly higher with increasing age(30-50 yrs) 2. The most frequent cause of corneal blindness included keratitis during adulthood (56.7%), with male Preponderance( 65 % ) with mean age (30-50) females (35%) with mean age (20-50), mixed ulcers being the commonest infection( 78%) 3. Trauma (28.6%) 4. Corneal dystrophies and degenerations (10.6%) Conclusion: There is a significant burden of corneal blindness in this population, the majority of which is avoidable. Eye health promotion strategies are warranted to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of corneal blindness.