The Ibadan glaucoma study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• African populations exhibit a higher prevalence and incidence of glaucoma.
• Effective screening strategies are crucial for early detection and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and risk factors of open-angle glaucoma among hospital workers of African origin.
• To evaluate a rapid, cost-effective glaucoma screening procedure.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 2,109 hospital workers at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
• Data collected via structured questionnaires and ophthalmic examinations, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and cup-disc ratio.
• Statistical analysis using EPI-INFO and SPSS for simple and multivariate analyses.

Main Results:

• A confirmed glaucoma prevalence of 2.7% (27 per 1000) was identified.
• Significant risk factors included relative afferent pupillary defect, cup-disc ratio > 0.7, elevated intraocular pressure, family history, and chronic diseases like diabetes.
• A cup-disc ratio of 0.7 demonstrated the highest positive predictive value for diagnosing glaucoma.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of glaucoma in this cohort is significant, emphasizing the need for awareness and screening.
• A cup-disc ratio of 0.7 is a valuable diagnostic marker for glaucoma screening in this population.
• Targeted screening programs focusing on identified risk factors can improve early detection and management.