Vaishali K Shrote (Brahmapurkar) , Sushma S Thakre , Ashok G . Lanjewar, Kishor P Brahmapurkar , Gautam M Khakse
Introduction: Ocular morbid conditions are responsible for partial or total blindness. Ocular morbidities by its sheer magnitude form an enormous problem, not only in human suffering, but also in terms of economical loss and social burden.
Aim: The aim of present study was to find the prevalence of ocular morbidities in rural area.
Methods: Community based cross-sectional study in area covered by Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Hingna which is under the administrative control of Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College [IGGMC], Nagpur, was carried out in 194 families with 925 study subjects during February 2005- December 2005. The study focuses on ocular examination and diagnosis of ocular morbid conditions. Both eyes were examined and all the relevant clinical findings were recorded in predesigned proforma. Chi Square test was used for the analysis of data .
Results: The results revealed that out of 925 study subjects 297(32.11%) were had ocular morbidity. Common ocular morbidity was Myopia (13.62%), Conjunctival xerosis (12.11%), Hypermetropia (11.68%), Xerophthalmia (3.46%), Pterygium (2.92%), immature senile cataract (2.70%), Eye strain (2.49%), mature senile cataract (1.84%) and Presbyopia (0.86%). Females were more affected (36.58%) as compared to males (28.37%), [χ2 = 7.09; d.f. =1, P< 0.05]. It was observed that as the age increases the prevalence of ocular morbidity increases [χ2=318.03; d.f =7, p<0.001].Higher prevalence of ocular morbid conditions was found in Illiterates 122 (40.94%) [χ2 = 16.47; d.f. =3, p<0.001]
Conclusion: High prevalence of ocular morbidities was found in rural areas of central India with greater predominance among women and illiterates.
