OCULAR DISEASES AMONG PATIENTS REPORTING IN UNITED NATIONS LEVEL III HOSPITAL - DARFUR, SUDAN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of ocular diseases among patients reporting at the United Nations Level 3 field hospital at Darfur, Sudan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department of the United Nations level III Hospital located at Darfur, Sudan. It was conducted from Sep 2013 to Aug 2014.

Methodology: Clinical records of the patients reporting to the Ophthalmology department were reviewed retrospectively. Entries made in outpatient department record register were screened. Demographic data including age, gender and ethnicity of the patients were noted. Diagnosis of all these patients was also marked down. The whole data was analysed by SPSS version 17 in order to determine frequency of different types of ocular disorders.

Results: A total of 504 patients (278 males and 226 females) reported to the eye outpatient department. Majority of the patients were from Nigeria (46.4%) and Sudan (33.9%). Refractive error in its various forms was the most frequently encountered eye disease i.e. 31.9%. Other commonly seen ocular diseases were blepharitis (13.7%), allergic conjunctivitis (13.3%), dry eyes (12.1%), pterygium (10.3%) and ocular trauma (3.7%).

Conclusions: Refractive errors and Blepharitis are the most prevalent ophthalmic disorders among troops deployed in United Nations African Mission in Darfur, Sudan. Presbyopia was found to be the most common refractive error in this study population.