Prevalence of blood borne viral infections in patients undergoing elective cataract surgery at a military hospital in western Indian population

Dr Ranjit Goenka; Dr Apoorva M

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2018

Prevalence of blood borne viral infections in patients undergoing elective cataract surgery at a military hospital in western Indian population

Dr Ranjit Goenka, Dr Apoorva M

Abstract :

Background:

The study was undertaken to understand the need for serological work-up in patients prior to cataract surgery and to determine the prevalence of blood-borne viral infections (HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) among the cataract patients in a western Indian population ata military hospital from January 2015 to April 2018.

Methods:Cross-sectional study of 3528 cases that underwent elective cataract surgery by Phacoemulsification with Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. All the patients underwent thorough routine laboratory work up including haematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, chest X-ray and electrocardiogram. Serological testing for HIV, hepatitis Band hepatitis C was also undertaken after obtaining patient‘s� informed consent and pre test counselling.

Results:A total of 3528 patients comprising 1792 males(50.7%) and 1736 females (49.3%) were included in the study. Of these, 25 patients (0.7%) were positive forHIV, HBV, and HCV. Hepatitis B was the most common infection detected (76%). The post-operative results were similar in both seropositive and seronegative patients.

Conclusion: Significant number of patients with cataract has blood borne viral infections. This study proves that serological workup is necessary for all the cases posted for elective cataract surgery so that asymptomatic carriers might not become a threat for spread of disease among patients and health care workers.