Demographic Profile and Comorbidities Among Cataract Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Visakhapatnam.

Introduction: Cataract is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, with a particularly high burden in developing countries. Despite advancements in surgical interventions, barriers such as limited healthcare access, socioeconomic disparities, and comorbid systemic conditions contribute to disease progression and severity. This study aims to analyze the demographic profile of cataract patients and the prevalence of comorbidities affecting disease severity in a tertiary care hospital in Visakhapatnam.

Methodology: A cross-sectional, hospital-based observational study was conducted at Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Healthcare and Medical Technology (GVPIHC&MT), Visakhapatnam, over a period of two months from October to November 2024. A total of 105 cataract patients were included based on the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using a structured proforma covering clinicodemographic characteristics, cataract type (LOC-III), and systemic comorbidities. Cataract severity was graded into four levels based on the slit-lamp examination of cataract patients. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed for data analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Among the 105 participants, 55 (52.38%) were aged above 60 years, and 58 (55.24%) were female. The majority, 72 (68.57%), belonged to the middle socioeconomic class, with 43 (40.95%) residing in urban areas. Mixed cataracts were the most prevalent type, found in 74 (70.48%) cases, and 38 (36.19%) cases were categorized as very severe. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, affecting 43 (40.95%) participants, and diabetes mellitus, affecting 35 (33.33%), both of which were significantly associated with cataract severity (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). The duration of symptoms varied, with 52 (49.52%) participants reporting symptoms persisting for 12 months.

Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial burden of cataracts in older adults, with significant associations between systemic comorbidities and disease severity. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found to be key contributors to advanced cataract stages, emphasizing the need for integrated healthcare approaches addressing both ocular and systemic health. Targeted screening and early intervention strategies are essential to reduce cataract-related morbidity, particularly in vulnerable populations with limited healthcare access.