The Frequency of Hepatitis B & C in Preoperative Patients of Cataract Surgery

Purpose of the Study: To estimate the frequency of hepatitis B and C in preoperative patients of cataract surgery.  It is a  descriptive cross-sectional study,  at the Department of Ophthalmology, POB (Prevention of Blindness) Trust Hospital Karachi from 01-12-2020 to 31-05-2021 Material &Methods: The patients selected from outpatient department (OPD) of POB Eye Hospital Karachi were included in the study. Informed consent was taken after explaining the procedure, risks and benefits of the study. Patients who admitted in POB Eye Hospital Karachi ward for cataract surgery under local anaesthesia were evaluated for hepatitis B and C infection. Blood samples was collected from the patients under aseptic conditions and tested by ICT (immune chromatography) method to detect hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody in the serum. All the collected data were entered into the performa. It was recorded on performa and used electronically for research purpose.  Results: We studied the frequency of hepatitis B and C in 324 Out of 324 patients 188 (58%) were male and 136 (42%) were female. Family history of hepatitis was found in 113 (35%) patients. Overall frequency of hepatitis B and C was found 72 (23%), while 220(77%) were found to be normal. Hepatitis B was found in 25 (8%) patients whereas hepatitis C was found in 47 (15%) patients. Conclusion: We concluded that the increasing number of asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B and C were found in preoperative cataract patients. Therefore, it is mandatory task to screen every patient for hepatitis B and C in preoperative cataract patients, so that asymptomatic carriers might not pose a threat for spread of disease and create awareness among general population.