CATARACT AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO OUTDOOR DEPARTMENT OF AYUB TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABBOTTABAD

Background: In Pakistan, the leading cause of blindness in adults above 30 years of age is cataract. Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Cataract blindness presents an enormous problem in terms of magnitude, functional disability, and loss of self-esteem, considerable economic loss and social burden. This study was carried out to find the risk factors of cataract in patients presenting in Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH). Methods:The study was hospital based cross sectional study of 386 patients that presented in outpatient department of ophthalmology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. All the patients were included who presented to ATH during the study period. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Results: Out of total patients, majority were male (53.4%) with most of them in age groups of 50 years and above. Most prevalent was acquired cataract with trauma being the major cause. Majority (77.7%) showed up for check-up after 50 days of onset of symptoms.Conclusions: Older age groups should be examined thoroughly by Ophthalmologist. Population should be counselled regarding trauma prevention and timely ocular check-ups. Keywords: Cataract, risk factory, Ayub Teaching Hospital Stud J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2015;1(1):17-20