The word "slum" for first used to describe the "room of low repute" or "low, unfrequented parts of the town" in the 19th century in London. However, the definition and its meaning have changed over time to include physical, social, spatial, and even behavioral aspects of urban poverty. [1,2]. According to United Nations, a Slum is defined as "one or a group of individuals living under the same roof in an urban area, lacking in one or more of the following five amenities, i.e. durable housing, sufficient living area, access to improved water, access to improved sanitation facilities and Secure tenure.[3].

The pattern of ocular morbidities among residents of the slum population may depend on overcrowding, unhygienic conditions, nutritional status, socioeconomic status, education, working conditions and health-seeking behavior. Ocular morbidity has been defined as any ophthalmologic pathology requiring clinical intervention or follow up.[4]. Overall, the prevalence of ocular morbidity in India has been reported to range between 20% and 90%. [5-7]. Various ocular morbidities reported in India include Vitamin A deficiency, refractive error, conjunctivitis, amblyopia, strabismus, cataract, pterygium etc. [8]. Ocular morbidity may be one of the leading causes of visual impairment as well as preventable blindness. Literature suggests that approximately 85% of moderate to severe visual impairment and 80% of blindness is preventable and treatable.[9].

Data on the prevalence of ocular morbidities is primarily derived from hospital-based studies or institutions such as schools, blind homes etc. Community-based studies on ocular morbidities are lacking. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the prevalence of different ocular pathologies in the slum-dwelling population of central India and to find its correlations with socio-demographic factors.

Setting- 84 slum areas across Bhopal, Jabalpur and areas in the vicinity using a camp-based approach

Duration and type of study - cross-sectional study during the study period of 3 years, i.e. from 1^st June 2017 to 31^st May 2021.

The eyes are the most precious sense organ, which is essential for the normal physical and psychosocial development of an individual.[10]. Ocular morbidities can significantly affect visual acuity and may be responsible for partial or total blindness. Kumar et al. documented that approximately 30% of blind people in India lose their eyesight before 20 years of age, particularly in developing years of life (<5 years).[11]. The cause of blindness may vary depending upon age and working conditions. The most common causes of blindness in children and the younger population include refractive errors, Vitamin A deficiency, trachoma etc. [12,13]. However, in middle age and elderly individuals, cataracts, glaucoma. Refractive errors and complications due to comorbid conditions are possible etiologies. [14,15]. Thus to prevent blindness, its associated complications and ocular disabilities, it is essential to detect these morbidities as early as possible.[10].

The present study was conducted camp-based research among the slum population belonging to any age group and either gender. A total of 15478 cases were enrolled belonging to the age range of 3 years to 78 years. The majority of participants belonged to 31 to 50 years ago. About 59.8% were males, and 41.4% belonged to low socioeconomic status. The prevalence of ocular morbidity in our study was 39.9%. similar findings were documented by Khadse et al., in which the majority of ocular morbidities among the slum population was 40.4%.[10]. Similarly, Gattani et al. demonstrated the prevalence of ocular morbidity in 42.3%.[16]. In contrast, Aggrawal et al. reported ocular morbidities in higher proportions, i.e., 53%, compared to the present study.[17]. The observed difference in the prevalence of ocular morbidities between the present study and the reference study could be attributed to the difference in health-seeking behavior of a population of two study areas.

Our study documented the prevalence of ocular morbidity significantly higher in middle-aged and elderly populations, among males and low socioeconomic status (p<0.05). The spectrum of ocular morbidities in our study included

The overall prevalence of ocular morbidities in the slum population is high. The most common ocular morbidity includes refractive error and allergic conjunctivitis. These morbidities correlated with age, gender and socioeconomic status.

Author contribution: Dr Kumar and Dr L Shrivastava contributed to collecting and analysing the data of the patient who presented at the camps conducted across Bhopal. Dr P. Shrivastava participated and analysed in data collection and analysis of the patients presenting to the camps conducted across Jabalpur; she also analysed and observed significant correlations after the application of suitable statistical tests.

What does this study add to existing knowledge?

We recommend periodic screening of the slum population across all age range to prevent long term complications and disabilities.