Demographic and clinical profile of patients presenting at the low vision clinic of a tertiary eye care facility in Kerala

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the demographic and clinical profile of patients attending the low vision clinic of a tertiary eye care facility in Kerala. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study at the low vision clinic of a tertiary eye care facility in Kerala between May 2007 and May 2016. Information regarding the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and low vision rehabilitation done were recorded. Results: Out of the total 916 new patients, 51.31% were males and 48.69% were females. Thirty-three percent were above 60 years, 26.24% were between 40 and 60 years, 16.11% were between 17 and 35 years. Mean age was 51.2 ± 23.5 years. Major etiological diseases were age-related macular degeneration (18.51%), diabetic retinopathy (18.1%), optic atrophy (14.2%), retinitis pigmentosa (13.03%), etc. A total of 39.94% were prescribed high plus spectacles, 35.64% stand magnifiers, 15.39% bifocal spectacles, and had 9.01% hand magnifiers. Conclusion: The demographic and clinical characteristics of low vision patients of the study population are similar to that of the developed countries. The barriers to utilization of resources need to be analyzed through further studies.

Keywords

• Demography; Low vision; Kerala.