Clinical and epidemiological study in patients with glaucoma in tertiary eye center, Bhaktapur

Abstract Background Glaucoma is increasing as a significant global health problem being the major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Early detection and timely management of glaucoma can decrease the burden of blindness worldwide.Methods This was a retrospective hospital -based study conducted at Glaucoma unit in CHEERS Hospital, Bhaktapur from August 2015 to July 2019. Patients demographic profile, along with a comprehensive examination, reviewed from the records. Collected data included: age, sex, race/ethnicity, intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio, different types of glaucoma, visual field. Data analysis dome with IBM SPSS version 24 and was presented in mean (±SD), frequency and proportions and chi- square test was applied. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Total of 312 glaucoma cases were reviewed and included in this study. The mean age presentation was 61.89±14.4 years, and maximum number (52.6%) was between ages 60-79 years. The majority of patients were primary open angle glaucoma (173, 55.4%) followed by primary angle closure (92, 29.5%). The association between all types of glaucoma and increasing age was statistically significant (P<0.001). Similarly, the association between all types of glaucoma with positive family history and caste/ ethnicity was statistically significant (P<0.001).Conclusion This study showed primary open angle glaucoma as the most common glaucoma. There was a positive association seen between all types of glaucoma with increasing age (beyond age of 40 years) and family history of glaucoma. Screening programs in population with risk factors and opportunistic eye examinations should be conducted for early detection of glaucoma.Trial registration: retrospective registered