An exploratory profile of patients with primary open angle glaucoma attending a high–volume eye hospital in eastern Nepal (Birat Eye Hospital)

Nilam Munakarmi; Nabin Raj Joshi

Volume : VII, Issue : XII, December - 2017

An exploratory profile of patients with primary open angle glaucoma attending a high–volume eye hospital in eastern Nepal (Birat Eye Hospital)

Nilam Munakarmi, Nabin Raj Joshi

Abstract :

Purpose. To explore the profile of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) attending Birat eye Center, a high– volume eye hospital in eastern Nepal

Methods. 100 patients (200 eyes) with POAG, mean age of 54, seeking medical service for the first time for their condition were enrolled in the study. Measurements of vertical cup–to–disc ratio (CDR) were performed with indirect ophthalmoscopy using a slit–lamp (Haag–Streit) with a 78D Volk lens by 2 experienced clinicians, and the results were averaged. Average visual field (VF) sensitivity were obtained in decibels (dB) with an Octopus 600 automated perimeter (Haag–Streit, Zeiss Inc.), and intra–ocular pressure (IOP) were recorded with a Riester Schiontz tonometer in millimeters of mercury under supine condition in all the patients.

Results. There was a linear correlation between average CDR and average VF sensitivity in both eyes (r²=0.30). There was no correlation between levels of IOP to either CDR measurements or average VF sensitivity. VF damage was more correlated in between the two eyes (r²=0.20), compared to CDR (r²=0.06). However, the correlation between absolute difference of CDR measurements and VF sensitivity between the two eyes, were the strongest (r²=0.47).

Conclusion. Most of the patients with POAG attending the center had moderate to severe level of neural damage, and basic ONH examination by estimation of vertical CDR, and especially the degree of asymmetry between two eyes was found to be a useful indicator for the presence of glaucoma.