Pattern of Conjunctival Diseases in North Kordofan State

Abstract

Background: The conjunctiva is one of the most important elements of the eye because it covers the anterior white sclera and reflects on the eyelids, providing protection and lubrication while also producing mucus, which is an important component of the tear film. It also serves as a protective barrier against germ entry into the eye and aids in immunity. It is highly vascularized and has numerous lymphatic vessels. Some conjunctival disorders are caused by trauma, such as subconjunctival hemorrhage and conjunctival tear, while others are caused by infection, such as trachoma and conjunctivitis. Methodology: The study was carried out at the Ophthalmology Emergency Department of surgery El-Obeid Teaching Hospital and Dr. Khalil's Ophthalmology Center in North Kordofan State, Sudan. It was retrospective, descriptive research. The study sample covered all conjunctival illnesses, data was drawn from the medical record of 1000 patients with varied eye conditions, 175 patients with conjunctival diseases were selected. Results: This study investigated 175 patients with conjunctival abnormalities to determine the frequency of these diseases in North Kordofan state. The findings showed that conjunctival illnesses were more common in men, with 95 out of 175 cases (54%) and 80 out of 175 (46%) being females. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1, and the age range of 21-33 years was the most frequent, accounting for 33%. This was followed by the age groups of 33-53 years, 10-20 years, <9 years, and beyond 54 years, with percentages of 20%, 19%, 18%, and 10%, respectively. Subconjunctival hemorrhage was the most common type of conjunctival illness, accounting for 54% of cases, followed by conjunctivitis 17%, pterygium 15%, conjunctival tear 9%, pinguecula 3%, conjunctival nevus 1%, and trachoma. Conclusion: Conjunctival disorders were prevalent in Northern Kordofan state, with the most common being subconjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, pterygium, and conjunctival tear.