Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infection in Individuals Undergoing Preoperative Evaluation for Cataract Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Screening Outcomes and Risk Factors
1Raza Ali, 2Dr Uzair Butt, 3Raja Assad Tariq, 4Dr Nighat Saleem, 5Javed Butt, 6Hammad Butt
- PIMS, Islamabad
- Ayub medical college Abbottbad
- Poonch medical college Rawalakot
- AJKMC Mzd
- PIMS, Islamabad
- PIMS, Islamabad
Vol: 16/04
Received: June 15, 2026 Accepted: September 01, 2026 Published: November 03, 2026
ABSTRACT
Background: HBV and HCV infections are transmitted through blood and body secretions and cause acute hepatitis which clears within 6 months in 80% cases of HBV and 20% cases of HCV. The infection becomes chronic and may progress to chronic liver disease in 20% HBV and 80% HCV.
Purpose: To find out the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among patients planned for
cataract surgery in Sialkot region.
Study design: A quantitative descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in a Tertiary care Hospital from 1st July to 31st December 2025.
Material and Methods: In the six months study period 462 patients were diagnosed to have cataract in one or both eyes and planned for surgery. All these patients were pre operatively screened for Hepatitis B and C virus in the hospital laboratory. Data of positive cases was analysed using various variables.
Results: Total 462 patients were planned for cataract surgery, 263 (56.92%) were males and 199 (43.08%) females. They were all screened for HBV and HCV in hospital laboratory.
There were 46 (9.95%) positive cases, 22 (4.76%) were males and 24 (5.19%) females. HBs
Ag was positive in 9 (1.95%) and anti HCV in 37 (8.00%) patients. In gender comparison
HBV was positive in 5 males (1.08%) and 4 (0.86%) female, whereas HCV was detected in 17 (3.68%) males and 20 (4.32%) female patients respectively. None of the patient was suffering from both hepatitis B and C simultaneously. Mean age of our study participants was 67.5 years.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Hepatitis B and C is high and awareness about its prevention and transmission is limited in Pakistan. Therefore all patients planned for any interventional procedure must be screened pre operatively to reduce the risk of transmission.
Key Words: Cataract Surgery, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C.