Pattern of ocular disorders among psychiatric patients
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Date
2025-11-30
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:
Ocular disorders are often overlooked among individuals with psychiatric illnesses despite their potential to cause significant visual impairment and affect quality of life. Limited data is available on psychiatric patients on the pattern and burden of ocular morbidity in Ethiopia. Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of ocular morbidity among mental ill patients attending at AMSH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods –
A cross sectional study was conducted among 414 mental ill patients selected using systematic random sampling. The sample size was calculated using a single population formula, considering a 41.3% prevalence of ocular morbidity. 95% confidence interval, and 5% marginal error. Data was collected under structural interview and ophthalmic examination, and analyzed using descriptive statistic and comparative interpretation with earlier studies.
Results:
In this study the prevalence of ocular morbidity was 72.5%. The top rank among ocular morbidity was meibomian gland dysfunction (22.1%), refractive errors (17.2%), cataract (13.5%), and glaucoma (8.1%). Visual impairment was found in 22.1% of participants. The majority of affected individuals (64.2%) were aged between 26 and 50 years. Compared with previous studies in Kenya and Nigeria, the current study revealed a higher burden of ocular morbidity, likely reflecting both medication-related and functional ocular surface changes among psychiatric patients.
Conclusion:
Ocular disorders are highly prevalent among psychiatric patients in AMSH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It showed the need for establishment of ophthalmic screening and integrated eye care center in mental health institutions to tackle avoidable visual impairment and improve overall health.
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Keywords
Pattern of ocular disorders, psychiatric patients