Ophthalmological Symptom Presentations in Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases - A Cross-sectional Study from a South Indian Centre

Abstract

Introduction Ophthalmological symptoms are common in ear, nose and throat conditions. Orbital involvement and ophthalmological presentations may be indicative of the extensive and aggressive nature of the pathology. This study evaluated the causes of various ophthalmological presentations in relation to primary ENT diseases in patients attending the ENT Department of a government tertiary referral teaching hospital. Material and Methods Sixty patients with ophthalmological presentations arising out of primary ENT diseases were assessed in detail. Comprehensive physical, ophthalmological and ENT examinations were done. Ophthalmological and ENT diagnoses, treatment details, outcome and complications if any were also noted. Results Most number of patients were in the age group 51 to 60 years (14; 23.4%). Most common ophthalmological symptom was periorbital oedema (51.6%) followed by epiphora (48.3%); the most common ENT symptom was headache (50%) followed by nasal discharge (48.3%). Most common diagnosis among patients was sinusitis (46.7%) followed by mucocele (21.7%). Most common (47%) otorhinological diagnosis associated with proptosis in this study was infections in the form of orbital cellulitis or abscess associated with sinusitis. Majority (43, 71.7%) of the study sample had surgical management. Conclusion This study reiterates the need for a high index of suspicion from the part of the ophthalmologist to look beyond eye diseases as causes for ophthalmological presentations and from the part of otorhinolaryngologist to be aware of various non-ENT symptoms secondary to ear, throat and nose diseases. A close collaboration between the ophthalmology and ENT departments is essential in successful management of such patients.