Subjective Optic Disc Assessment and Single Measurement Intraocular Pressure to Screen a Cohort of Pensioners in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Background: There is good evidence that screening can detect primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in adults and that early treatment of adults reduces the number of persons who develop visual field defects or those whose visual field defects progress.1 Aim: To screen and identify persons with glaucoma among pensioners in Port Harcourt. Materials and Method: The study was carried out among retirees in Rivers State. Verbal consent was obtained from the Treasury Department of the Rivers State Ministry of Finance and also from all individuals who participated in the study. Demographic data including age and sex were recorded in the WHO/PBL eye examination form. Ocular examination consisted of uncorrected VA measured with Snellen’s chart and then pin-hole presented when VA < 6/18. Intraocular pressure was measured with Perkin’s applanation tonometer. The external eye was examined with a pen torch and funduscopy with the direct ophthalmoscope. Glaucoma was diagnosed based on an IOP>21mmHg and VCDR >0.5 or VCDR = 0.8 with normal intraocular pressure. Results: A total of 176 subjects (351 eyes) were examined; 135(76.7%) male and 41(23.3%) female patients. The mean age of respondents was 62.33 (±±8.58) years. Of the 176 subjects examined, 14 had glaucoma (based on the defined criteria of VCDR > 0.5 and IOP above 21mmHg or VCDR = 0.8 with normal IOP) giving a relative frequency of 7.95%. Ten subjects had ocular hypertension. Conclusion: There is a need to screen at-risk people for glaucoma especially the aged. In doing this, sufferers will be identified early and appropriate treatment instituted to prevent visual loss.

Key words: glaucoma screening, cohort, pensioners, Port Harcourt