Prevalence of ocular defects among patients visiting in an institutionalized hospital setting: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of ocular defect among different age groups, gender, side involved, and etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted among referred ocular defect patients in a dental college in southern part of India over a 5 years period (2008-2012). Information regarding general identification, gender, age, affected side, and etiology was collected. The collected data were analyzed and grouped according to different age groups, gender, side involved, and etiology. RESULTS The ocular defects were more frequently observed in the young male population (66%). Trauma (46%) and pathogenic (44%) causes were the main reasons over nonspecific (8%) and congenital (2%) reasons. CONCLUSION High prevalence of injuries and infections in young adults (mostly males) predominantly causing ocular bulb loss.