Descriptive Analysis of Common Ophthalmic Disorders and Their Management Approaches among Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Hospitals in South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Ophthalmic disorders are a major cause of avoidable visual impairment in low- and middle-income countries, where delayed presentation and limited screening capacity often shift the burden to tertiary hospitals. Objective: To describe the prevalence, clinical patterns, and management strategies of common ophthalmic disorders among patients attending tertiary care hospitals in South Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months in ophthalmology outpatient departments of selected tertiary hospitals in South Punjab. A total of 384 patients aged ≥10 years were enrolled through consecutive sampling. Standard ophthalmic assessment was performed using visual acuity testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, and intraocular pressure measurement. Diagnoses and primary management modality were recorded using a structured proforma. Descriptive statistics were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and age-patterning of major disorders was tested using chi-square analysis. Results: The mean age was 46.2 ± 16.4 years, and 51.0% were female. Refractive errors were most prevalent (34.9%; 95% CI: 30.3–39.8), followed by cataract (24.0%; 95% CI: 20.0–28.5), conjunctivitis (12.5%), and glaucoma (9.4%). Pharmacological therapy (41.1%) and surgical intervention (27.1%) were the dominant management approaches. Age distribution differed significantly across refractive error, cataract, and glaucoma (χ²(6)=153.61; p<0.001). Conclusion: Tertiary care workload in South Punjab is dominated by treatable disorders, supporting targeted refraction services for younger patients and strengthened cataract, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy screening pathways for older adults. Keywords: Cataract, Conjunctivitis, Glaucoma, Ophthalmic diseases, Refractive errors, South Punjab, Tertiary care.