Retrospective Evaluation of Reasons for Ophthalmology Outpatient Visits and Diagnostic Distribution in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Older adults are particularly vulnerable to ocular diseases that impair vision, quality of life, and functional independence. Understanding ophthalmology outpatient visit patterns in this population is essential for planning age-sensitive eye care services. This study aimed to analyze the primary reasons for ophthalmology outpatient visits among older adults in Turkey. Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients aged ≥65 years attending an outpatient ophthalmology clinic between January and December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, presenting visual acuity, and primary clinical diagnoses were recorded and descriptively analyzed using predefined diagnostic categories. Results: Results: Patients aged ≥65 years accounted for 17.5% of all ophthalmology outpatient visits. Ocular surface diseases were the most common diagnostic category, followed by refractive errors and lens- and anterior segment–related conditions. The most frequent diagnoses were refractive errors, dry eye disease, and blepharitis. Most patients were aged 65–74 years, with a higher proportion of females. Visual impairment increased progressively with age. Conclusion: Ophthalmology outpatient visits among older adults are largely driven by common, potentially preventable or manageable conditions. Frequent ocular surface disorders, such as dry eye disease and blepharitis, may be effectively managed at the primary care level with appropriate referral pathways. Strengthening early identification and first-line management may reduce unnecessary specialist visits and help preserve visual function, supporting the planning and optimization of geriatric eye care services within a public health framework in Turkey.

Keywords

• Elderly
• Eye Care
• Ophthalmology
• Geriatric Eye Diseases
• Outpatient Clinic

Geriatrik Hastalarda Göz Polikliniğine Başvuru Nedenleri ve Tanısal Dağılımın Retrospektif Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Yaşlı bireyler; görmeyi, yaşam kalitesini ve fonksiyonel bağımsızlığı olumsuz etkileyen oküler hastalıklara karşı özellikle hassastır. Bu popülasyonda oftalmoloji poliklinik başvuru nedenlerinin anlaşılması, yaşa duyarlı göz sağlığı hizmetlerinin planlanması açısından önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de yaşlı bireylerin oftalmoloji polikliniklerine başvuru nedenlerini analiz etmektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Ocak–Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında bir oftalmoloji polikliniğine başvuran ≥65 yaş hastaların tıbbi kayıtları retrospektif olarak incelendi. Demografik özellikler, başvuru sırasındaki görme keskinliği ve primer klinik tanılar kaydedildi ve önceden tanımlanmış tanısal kategoriler kullanılarak tanımlayıcı olarak analiz edildi. Bulgular: ≥65 yaş hastalar, tüm oftalmoloji poliklinik başvurularının %17,5’ini oluşturdu. Oküler yüzey hastalıkları en sık tanı kategorisi olup bunu refraksiyon kusurları ile lens ve ön segment ilişkili hastalıklar izledi. En sık tanılar refraksiyon kusurları, kuru göz hastalığı ve blefarit idi. Hastaların çoğu 65–74 yaş aralığında olup kadın hastaların oranı daha yüksekti. Görme bozukluğu sıklığı yaşla birlikte progresif olarak arttı. Sonuç: Yaşlı bireylerde oftalmoloji poliklinik başvuruları büyük ölçüde yaygın, önlenebilir veya yönetilebilir hastalıklardan kaynaklanmaktadır. Kuru göz hastalığı ve blefarit gibi sık görülen oküler yüzey hastalıkları, uygun sevk basamakları ile birinci basamakta etkin şekilde yönetilebilir. Erken tanı ve ilk basamak tedavi yaklaşımlarının güçlendirilmesi, gereksiz uzman başvurularını azaltabilir ve görme fonksiyonunun korunmasına katkı sağlayabilir. Bu yaklaşım, Türkiye’de geriyatrik göz sağlığı hizmetlerinin halk sağlığı perspektifiyle planlanması ve optimize edilmesine destek sağlayacaktır.

Keywords

• Yaşlı
• Göz Sağlığı
• Oftalmoloji
• Geriatrik Göz Hastalıkları
• Poliklinik Başvurusu

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