Clinical profile of patients attending ophthalmic clinic during peaks of covid pandemic: A descriptive study during peaks of covid pandemic at tertiary institute in south India

Abstract

InCovid pandemic of India, the first peak occured during September to December 2020. During this period, the patients avoided coming to OPD unless an emergency. It is not known, if there was any change in clinical spectrum of patients presenting to outpatient clinic, so this study gives an overview of the patients presenting to OPD in the pandemic.This study aims to enumerate various ocular symptoms of patients presenting to Ophthalmology outpatient clinic during covid pandemic period, evaluate their demographic profile and to identify any ocular manifestations of corona virus amongst these patients. This is a prospective study done between September 2020 and December 2020 after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee board. Inclusive criteria-All adult patients of both genders, attending Ophthalmology OPD during study period. Exclusive criteria-Paediatric age group patients, patients having long standing ocular ailments before pandemic. Ocular examination was done by Torch light and Slit lamp bio microscopy. P value was calculated by chi- square test.: There were a total of 374 patients during the study period, male-268(71.65%), female 106(28.34%). The common age group (146 patients out of total 374 patients) was between 20 to 40 years. The chief presenting complaints were- itching (186, males 27.61%, females 61.32% P value-0.004), redness-112 (males-74, females 38, P value-0.117) Foreign body sensation-84 (males-51, females 33, P value-0.011). Defective vision due to cataract -34 (male-18, females-16, P value-0.01109). The diagnosis related to ocular ailments were refractive errors-112(29.94%), ocular adnexa diseases-24(6.41%), conjunctiva diseases-147(39.30%), cornea diseases-12, (3.20%), lenticular disease-34, (9.09%), glaucoma diseases-16(4.27%). Medical treatment was given to most patients (312 patients, 83.42%).: In our study, majority of patients presented with itching, foreign body sensation and diagnosed mostly as conjunctivitis, predominantly viral. Most of the patients are males and in working age group.