Assessment of paedriatic eye care facilities in different teaching hospitals of Lahore division.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are an estimated 1.5 million blind children worldwide 181 with an additional 5 million visually disabled. Among those, 90% live in the developing countries with some 1.3 million living in Asia and Africa and about 72,000 in Europe, the USA and Japan 78. Approximately one child goes blind every minute in the world, making a total of 500,000 children who go blind each year in the world, of whom 60-80% die in the subsequent 1-2 years from the disease that contributed to their blindness, or from neglect.

METHODLOGY: A pre research planning was necessary to initiate research where all aspects were designed .It included selection of research site, target population, sample size, design of survey proforma, sampling method, research methodology, organizational issue, pilot study and work plan. The study was conducted in several months as August, September and October 2013.

RESULTS: In my research, the comparative study results were obtained from eight teaching hospitals of Lahore division. On data analysis, it was found that 37% optometrists are available in three where majority have least number of professionals to attend patient complain. Majority of hospitals have only two trained ophthalmologist which increases waiting time about 50% for patients for more than hour. In such a diverse population there should be more than 5 trained pediatric ophthalmologists which will minimize patient waiting time. However, the evaluation of crossing of eyes is neglected due to least number of orthoptists. Besides these, visual functions assessment tests are available in few Hospitals and advance eye disease such as Retinal detachment surgery is being performed on only 37.50%.

CONCLUSION: My study demonstrates that there are proper eye cares professionals at most of teaching hospital, well-equipped setup, and supervisor for internees in primary. Prolong waiting time for patients and attendants at some hospitals can be major cause of health decline. Hospitals should be equipped with trained professionals and technology to give utmost protocol in accordance with health care quality being provided internationally.