Importance of Routine Eye Screening in Diagnosis and Prevention of Ocular Conditions in Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Centre

Dr. Nikita Andhale, Dr. Faraz Hussain, Rohit Gupta

Abstract: Background: Healthcare workers, despite their medical background, often neglect routine eye examinations. This study evaluated the ocular health status of hospital staff and their families during a screening camp organized on World Sight Day. Objective: To assess the prevalence of ocular conditions among hospital staff and their families, demonstrate the utility of advanced diagnostic equipment, and promote awareness of available eye care services. Methods: A comprehensive eye screening camp was conducted over three days at MGM Hospital, Kamothe, examining 200 participants. The screening protocol included detailed history, visual acuity assessment, refraction, slit lamp examination, and fundus evaluation. Advanced diagnostic equipment including OCT, corneal topography, specular microscopy, and fundus photography were utilized for detailed evaluation where indicated. Results: Among 200 participants screened, 90 (45%) presented with ocular abnormalities. The most prevalent conditions were refractive errors (75.0% of abnormal cases), followed by cataracts (10.0%). Systemic disease - related ocular manifestations included diabetic retinopathy (5.6%) and hypertensive retinopathy (2.2%). Age - related macular degeneration was found in 2.2% of abnormal cases, while glaucoma, squint, and myopic fundus each accounted for 1.1% to 2.2% of cases. Advanced imaging techniques facilitated early detection of pathological changes in 70 cases requiring detailed retinal analysis. Conclusion: The study revealed a significant burden of undiagnosed ocular conditions among healthcare workers and their families, emphasizing the importance of regular screening programs. The successful implementation of advanced diagnostic equipment enhanced the detection of early pathological changes, particularly in systemic conditions.

Keywords: Vision Screening; Occupational Health; Healthcare Workers; Diagnostic Imaging; Eye Diseases; Preventive Health Services; Mass Screening; Ophthalmology; Visual Acuity; Retinal Diseases