Pattern of eye diseases and causes of visual impairment in Thamar Governorate Republic of Yemen

Abstract EN

Purpose 1.

To estimate the prevalence of common eye diseases among people in Thamar Governorate.

2.To identify the most common causes of visual impairment and visual loss Methods A retrospective study has been done for a total of 6618 patients.

Data were collected from a special registry of the patients consulted and treated in the Ophthalmology Department at AL-Wahda teaching hospital, through 4 years (2003-2006).

Data obtained were analyzed using MS excel 2003.

Results The 6618 patients included in this study were grouped according to sex, age, ocular disorders.

So the following data were obtained: Causes of blindness were: cataract (51%), refractive error (29 %), corneal opacity ( 6%), glaucoma (6%) corneal opacity (6%), ocular trauma (4%), retinal disorders (3%) and trachoma (1 %).

Ocular allergy was the first eye disorder in the second group according to the number of patients.

In the third group of patients, hypertensive retinopathy was (0.38%), and diabetic retinopathy was only (0.21%).

Conclusions Despite the improvement of eye healthcare and increase the number of eye surgeon in this region of Yemen, blindness due to cataract remains a public health problem.

High prevalence of ocular allergy in this region may be related to atmosphere pollution and use of insecticide in agriculture and Quat.

Low level of active trachoma (1%), could be explained by presence of water supply at home in majority of villages and cold temperature.

These results highlight the need to effective intervention strategies to prevent blindness mainly among children and ageing population, with special emphasis on women.