Mohammed M Abdull|Clare Gilbert|Jennifer R Evans
Primary open angle glaucoma in northern Nigeria: stage at presentation and acceptance of treatment
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
determine stage primary open angle glaucoma presentation tertiary eye unit assess patients knowledge glaucoma acceptance subsequent adherence treatmentinformation collected prospectively new glaucoma patients aged 30 years included distance residence knew glaucoma treatment treatment offered took account disease severity socioeconomic factors reasons accepting surgery recorded follow intraocular pressure iop measured adherence medication assessed verbally four categories severity defined based visual acuity visual fields defects worse eye131 patients recruited mean age 528 years 62 male attended symptoms 70 mean iop affected eyes 319sd 124 mean vertical cupdisc ratio 08 99 eyes 47 visual acuity light perception worse risk factors advancedendstage disease age 50 years living 10 km hospital awareness glaucoma literate unemployed presenting symptoms multivariable analysis older age poor knowledge glaucoma remained independent risk factors 75 offered trabeculectomy five agreed one underwent surgery reasons rejecting surgery fear 37 preferred medical treatment 27 cost 15 3285 24 participants started topical medication attended follow 72 reported excellent compliance 56 glaucomatous eyes iops less 21 mmhgto prevent glaucoma blindness strategies required promote earlier detection counselling promote acceptance adherence treatment