Spectrum of Glaucoma Presentation in a Suburban Teaching Hospital in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, a knowledge of the presentation will help in early diagnosis and management of the disease. Objective: The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, clinical presentation and the severity of glaucoma in a Suburban Teaching Hospital in South Western Nigeria. Methodology: This is a retrospective study of new patients who presented at the eye clinic of a suburban Teaching Hospital over a 3-year period. Results: A total of 3,814 new patients were seen within the period, 3.8% (144) of which were diagnosed with glaucoma. Mean age of patients was 61.9 ± 19.5 years with 59% (85) being males. One hundred and ten (76.4%) patients presented with a complain of deteriorating vision in one or both eyes. Clinical findings in both eyes were similar with 20.8% (30) being blind (visual acuity <3/60 in better eye) while intraocular pressure was between 21-40 mmHg in 38.9% (56) of patients and cup-disc ratio (CDR) ≥ 0.7 in 72% of the patients. Conclusion: Poor vision and advance disease were common at presentation. Routine eye screening will help in early detection and prevention of avoidable blindness for public health consequences