Sociodemographics and Clinical History among Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients on Medical Treatment in a Tertiary Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma has been noted to be more prevalent and aggressive in blacks. Treatment of glaucoma involves lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) to a targeted level where further glaucomatous damage is unlikely. The aim of this study was to determine sociodemographic factors and clinical history among primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients on medical treatment at the glaucoma clinic of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Parklane (ESUTTHP), Enugu with a view for better patient management.

Methods: The study was a hospital based cross sectional study on POAG patients on medical treatment attending the eye clinic of ESUTTHP, Enugu. Patients were selected by simple random sampling. Their socio-demographics and clinical history were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (U.S.A). Categorical variables were presented in percentages.

Results: A total of 130 POAG patients on medical treatment were interviewed comprising of 56 males (43.1%) and 74 females (56.9%). Their age ranged between 42 and 83 years with mean age of 62.25 ± 9.002. Civil servants made up of 27.7% of the patients while 26.9% were traders, 16.2% were farmers and 9.2% were artisans. One hundred patients were on prostaglandin analogues, 90 patients were on beta blockers, 31 patients were on topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, 20 patients were on alpha agonist while 2 patients were on miotics. These drugs were used either singly or in combination. Ninety-five of the patients (72.1%) reported they were using their drugs regularly while 35 (26.9%) reported they were not using their drugs regularly. Out of those that do not use their drugs regularly, 62.9% reported that it was due to forgetfulness, 40.0% reported that it was due to limited finances and none of the patients reported that it was due to the side effects of the drug. Approximately, 66.2% of the patients had used drugs for 1 - 5 years with the mean duration of treatment being 4.5±3.36 years. About half (57.7%) of the patients did not have family history of glaucoma, 30% of the patients had family history of glaucoma while 17.3% were not sure of any family history of glaucoma).

Conclusion: The study revealed that greater number of the patients suffering from glaucoma were women and civil servants. Majority of the patients use their drugs regularly and higher number of the patients do not have family history of glaucoma. Women, civil servants and the entire society should check their eyes with ophthalmologists regularly to avert the danger associated with glaucoma.