STUDY OF OCULAR ANOMALIES IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: The human eye develops from a complex interplay between three germ layers. i.e surface ectoderm, neuroectoderm, the mesoderm. The basic morphogenetic process of the eye is completed at the end of the 2nd month of gestation but the complete maturation takes place only after birth. Any derangement of the development process leads to a different congenital ocular anomaly. Many children with congenital ocular anomalies have low vision. Therefore, there is a growing need for early screening, detection, and treatment by pediatric or trained ophthalmologists who may provide the rehabilitation of these cases.

Aims and Objectives: To study the distribution of various ocular anomalies and to study its association with known risk factors (like consanguinity, antenatal insults like maternal malnutrition and infections, etc) in the pediatric age group at tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods: An Observational, Descriptive, Cross-Sectional, and Hospital Based Study in patients age group upto 18 years attending Ophthalmology OPD and referred patients at Dr. VitthalraoVikhePatilPravara Rural Hospital, Loni over 12 months period from March 2023 to February 2024. A total of 50 patients with congenital anomalies were screened and evaluated. Results: In this study, the range was from birth to 18 years of age. 40% of the cases(20 patients) were in the age group   1 year. Out of 50 patients, there were 33 males (66%) and 17 females (34%). History of consanguinity present in 26% (13 patients) of cases. Antenatal insults present in 10% (5 patients) of cases. In this study, 18 patients in pre-school age were following the torch light as they were  1 yr of age. Total 9 (18%) patients had vision  3/60. Severe visual impairment ( 6/60-3/60) seen in 4 (8%) patients. Moderate visual impairment ( 6/18-6/60) seen in 11 (22%) patients. Mild or no visual impairment (6/18 or better) in 6 (12%) patients. The most common anomaly in our study was congenital dacryocystitis (30%), followed by congenital cataract (20%), followed by squint (18%), followed by ptosis (18%) and others were 14%.

Conclusion: Congenital ocular anomaly is one of the important cause of childhood blindness. Proper knowledge of the developmental pathogenesis of congenital ocular anomalies is highly important for correct diagnosis. The findings of our study can act as a reference guide for clinicians and health professionals for counselling, health planning and creating community awareness.