Systemic co-morbidities in patients undergoing cataract surgery

Abstract

Background: Cataract is most common cause of blindness in the world. As it is an age related change, it is usually associated with other systemic illness. Purpose: To assess the presence of systemic co morbidities found during routine preoperative evaluation in the patients undergoing cataract surgery at tertiary care hospital. Method: Interventional study included patients attending the ophthalmology outpatient department who were operated for cataract surgery between Jun. 2019 and May. 2020 at tertiary health care centre. Result: Out of 412 patients 147 (35.68%) had systemic co-morbidity and 66 had a presence of both systemic and ocular co-morbidity. Out of 147 patients with systemic co-morbidity hypertension was found in 79 (53.74%) patients while 47 (31.97%) presented with Diabetes Mellitus. Bronchial asthma and Ischemic heart disease was observed in 19 (12.93%) patients followed by stroke in 8 (5.44%) patients. Conclusion: Presence of systemic comorbidity increase the number of investigations needed for fitness of the patient for cataract surgery. Also it can cause intra operative complication and may affect surgical outcome.