Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 160-165
A Study to Assess the Ocular Biometric Parameters and Prevalence of Refractive Errors among Thalassemic Children in a Rural Based Tertiary Hospital
Dr. Arunava Kundu1, Dr. Purban Ganguly2, Dr. Angana Sinharay3, Dr Prasanna Patil4, Dr Kavish Sharma5, Dr Mousumi Bandyopadhyay6
1Associate Professor and Head of the Department, 2Senior Resident,
Department of Ophthalmology, ESIC PGIMSR & ESIC Medical College, Joka
3Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Ophthalmology, Mednapur Medical College and Hospital
4Fellow in Vitreo-retinal Surgery, MMJEI, Hubli, Karnataka
5Senior Resident, Department of Medicine, RTR Hospital, New Delhi
6Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Ophthalmology, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan
Corresponding Author: Dr. Purban Ganguly
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Thalassaemia major patients have characteristic skeletal changes, including typical craniofacial changes and deformities of the long bones that result from expansion of the bone marrow. Craniofacial changes in thalassaemia major patients might lead to an abnormal bony orbit and subsequently might lead to distinctive ocular biometry and/or refraction.
Materials and Methods: 523 Thalassemic children and 502 age and sex matched control population were selected by systematic random sampling. Comprehensive ophthalmological examination was done on both case and control groups. The obtained data has been analysed by standard statistical software.
Results and Analysis: The Thalassemic children had lower mean weight than the control group (p<0.00, t=99.0, SED: 0.17, 95%CI:-16.72 to -16.07). The mean axial length of the eyeball was less among the Thalassemic children (p=0.04, t=2.00, SED: 0.10, 95% CI:-0.40 to 0.00). The average lenticular thickness was comparatively more among Thalassemic Children (p=<0.00, 10.64, SED:0.00, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.08). The average keratometry value was lower among the Thalassemia children (p=0.04, t=2.08, SED: 0.10, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.01). Astigmatism was more among the Thalassemic children (p=0.04, z=2.06).
Conclusion: Due to differential phenotypic expressions Thalassemic children may have abnormal ocular biometric characteristics.
Key words: Thalassemic Children, Ocular Biometry, errors of Refraction.