Why are new patients coming to the eye clinic? An analysis of the relative frequencies of ophthalmic disease amongst new patients attending hospital eye clinics in two separate locations.

We have analysed 64,417 patient-attendances by 56,409 patients to a dedicated ophthalmic new patient service to assess the demographic and epidemiological parameters of this population. Forty-three point five per cent were male and 56.5% female. Nine per cent of patients were under 16 years of age while 27.5% were over 70 years. Comparison of patients attending an outreach new patient clinic with that at the main hospital showed that a higher proportion of patients under 16 years were seen at the outreach clinic (p < 0.001), whereas the main clinic saw a higher proportion of patients in the 16-69 year age group (p < 0.001).