Publication: Study of Characteristic Retinal Findings among Hypertensive Population Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Systemic hypertension is one of the most common chronic, debilitating diseases
prevalent in the modern era, with many complications in terms of stroke, chronic
kidney disease, coronary artery disease and retinopathy. When it comes to the eye,
as a target organ damage, it leads to one of the many vision threatening conditions,
hence degrading the quality of life. Early detection and subsequent management
of patients at risk of hypertensive retinopathy serves to be a crucial panacea in the
treatment course.
Objective
To investigate the characteristics retinal findings among hypertensive population and
analyze the associated risk factors.
Method
A hospital based prospective study was conducted, among 250 patients presenting
to ophthalmology outpatient department in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu
University Hospital (DH-KUH), over a time span of 6 months, to analyze hypertensive
retinopathy and its implications. Fundus examination under mydriasis was done on
all subjects and hypertensive retinopathy was graded according to the modified
Scheie classification.
Result
Most patients belonged to age group of 56-65 years (30%). Nearly half (48%, N=120)
of the hypertensive population had some forms of retinopathy. Grade II hypertensive
retinopathy (24.8%) was the most common hypertensive change observed. Majority
(55%) of the patients with retinopathy were smokers. About two-third of the subjects
(67.5%) had been diagnosed to have hypertension and under treatment for over 5
years.
Conclusion
The occurrence of retinopathy among hypertensive patients attending ophthalmology
department is higher. Awareness regarding systemic hypertension and its effect on
ocular health is very important to be disseminated among public. Timely referral
among medical specialities could diagnose and prevent curable blindness among
hypertensive patients.
KEY WORDS
Epidemiological analysis, Retinopathy, Systemic hypertension
Description
Shrestha T,1 Shrestha R,1 Kaiti R2
1Department of Ophthalmology
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
2Consultant Optometrist
Nepal Eye Hospital,Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Epidemiological analysis, Retinopathy, Systemic hypertension