Perspectives In Medical Research (Apr 2018)
A study of primary open angle glaucoma in Diabetic patients
Abstract
Introduction: Primary open angle glaucoma is the commonest form of glaucoma accounting for atleast half of all the glaucomas. Intra Ocular Pressure is a definite and important risk factor for developing glaucomatous damage. Open-angle glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and optic disc excavation. Diabetes affects not only vascular tissues but also compromises neuronal and glial functions and metabolism in the retina, which ultimately gives rise to apoptotic death of retinal neurons including retinal ganglion cell. Aims and Objectives: To study the prevalence of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma among the diabetic patients. Materials & Methods: A prospective study was performed on 100 diabetic patients, both insulin dependent and non insulin dependent, above 40 years of age, attending Ophthalmology OPD of Pratima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar to know the incidence of primary open angle glaucoma amongst them. Results: The study population consists of 68 (68.0%) males and 32 (32.0%) females in the age range from 40-73 years with mean age of 53.1±8.28 years. The mean Intra Ocular Pressure values of Normal Tension Glaucoma were 14.60 ± 0.65 ranging from 14.6 to 14.7. The mean IOP values of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma were 28.12 ± 3.99 ranging from 23.1 to 31.8. The mean Intra Ocular Pressure values of Ocular Hypertension were 27.2. Conclusion: Primary Open Angle glaucoma is typically asymptomatic until significant visual field loss has occurred. Patients usually present with significant visual field loss in one eye and advanced disease in the other. It is associated with irreversible blindness. The public health importance of detecting undiagnosed and treatable glaucoma is important, as blindness has economic and social consequences for the rest of an individual’s life
