Trends of Eye and Adnexa-Related Hospital Admissions in Lebanon: An Epidemiological Retrospective Study

Visual impairment represents a major public health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. In recent years, the global burden of eye diseases and vision impairment has continued to grow. This study aims to investigate the trends in eye and adnexa-related hospital admissions in Lebanon from 2006 to 2019, as covered by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The primary objective is to assess trends by disease type and gender.

This retrospective observational study was conducted in Lebanon from 2006 to 2019. Data on eye and adnexa-related hospital admissions covered by the MOPH were collected with ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Lebanese American University (LAU). The study utilized ICD-10 codes to classify admissions and analyze gender-specific rates of hospitalization.

Between 2006 and 2019, Lebanon recorded a total of 113,514 hospital admissions related to eye and adnexal diseases. Females accounted for 62,462 (55%) of these admissions, with an average of 4461 admissions per year, while males accounted for 51,052 (45%), averaging 3646 admissions annually. The primary causes for hospitalization were disorders of the lens, glaucoma, disorders of the eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit, and disorders of the vitreous body and globe. Over the study period, the overall hospital admission rate increased from 141.42 per 100,000 in 2006 to 149.78 per 100,000 in 2019 (p-value < 0.001).

There was an increasing trend in eye and adnexa-related hospital admissions in Lebanon from 2006 to 2019, with notable gender disparities and shifts in the primary causes of hospitalization. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and intervention strategies to address the evolving healthcare needs related to eye and adnexal diseases in Lebanon and worldwide.