[Detection of primary open-angle glaucoma at the National University Hospital Cotonou, Benin]

Describe the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of POAG and evaluate hospital personnel's knowledge of the disease at the National University Hospital in Cotonou, Benin.

A transversal study was conducted over a period of 7 months on 689 employees over 20 years of age, divided into three professional categories A, B, and C.

The rate of participation was 67 %. POAG was present in 5.5 % of the employees (n=38). The disease was known only by 21.0 % of employees (n=8). The average age of patients was 45.6+/-3.5 years, with a sex ratio of 3.2. Category C employees were the most affected. Vision was higher than 0.7 in 59,5 % at right eye and 57,9 % at left eye; the most frequent lesions of the visual field were nasal projection and Bjërrum scotoma. Intraocular pressure was higher than 21 mmHg in 63,2 % at right and 57,9 % at left eye with an average IOP of 21.5 mmHg on the left and 18.3 mmHg in the right eye. The average cup/disc was 0,5.

POAG was unknown to most employees of the Cotonou National University Hospital; it affected young people and was more frequent in the low-income professional categories. Its prevention requires awareness and systematic monitoring of young people.