Tonometry in general practice--its use in early detection of primary open-angle glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• General Practice Medicine

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Early detection through screening is crucial for managing intra-ocular pressure and preventing vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in patients over 45 years old.
• To evaluate the utility of the Schiötz tonometer in general practice for glaucoma screening.

Main Methods:

• Intra-ocular pressure was measured in 1078 general practice patients aged over 45 years using the Schiötz tonometer.
• The study details the technique for using the tonometer.

Main Results:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma was diagnosed in 29 patients (2.7%).
• Ocular hypertension was identified in 40 patients (3.7%).

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the prevalence of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in the studied population.
• General practitioners are encouraged to adopt the Schiötz tonometer for routine patient screening to facilitate early glaucoma detection.