Challenges in the management of glaucoma in university of Calabar teaching hospital, Calabar, Nigeria: A 10 year review

Background: Glaucoma is a common cause of blindness in developing nations. The objective of this study is to determine the severity of primary open angle glaucoma and audit health records of glaucoma patients in our center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case note search of glaucoma patients from out-patient clinic was carried out between January 2001 and December 2010. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and exact binomial 95% confidence interval (CI) calculated for the mean estimates. Results: Seventy-six patients (152 eyes), comprising 49 (64.5%) males and 27 (35.5%) females were included in the study. The age ranged from 15 to 88 years (mean: 54.2 ± 14.5). Forty-five (59.7%) presented with normal vision and 10 (13.2%) had visual acuity 0.6 0.9 = 35 (46.1%) and left eyes were 15 (19.7%), 29 (38.2%), 28 (36.8%), respectively. Mean intraocular pressure (right eyes) at presentation was 20.3 mmHg (95% CI, 17.4-23.3) and reduced to 13.4 mmHg (95% CI, 10.7-16.0) at the last readings while left eyes from a mean of 20.3 mmHg (95% CI, 16.9-23.8) reduced to 12.1 mmHg (95% CI, 10.0-14.3). The mean presenting CDR were 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.83) and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.68-0.79) in right and left eyes, respectively. CDR showed statistical significance with age ( p 2 -test) but not with sex ( p = 0.807). Conclusion: Late presentation of glaucoma cases is a major problem in Calabar. We recommend public enlightenment, case detection, and early treatment to reduce ocular morbidity.