Clinicoepidemiological Profile of Glaucoma in 18-45 Years of AgeA Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of disorders characterised by chronic progressive optic neuropathy. The consequences of glaucoma are more severe in the young individuals because of late diagnosis and longer life expectancy. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the clinicoepidemiological profile of glaucoma in the age group 18-45 years. Aim: To study the demographic characteristics, clinical profile and types of glaucoma among patients in the age group of 18- 45 years. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Glaucoma Clinic, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Among 75 patients who presented with various types of glaucoma, in the age group 18-45 years during a period of one year from January 2018 to January 2019, after obtaining ethical clearance were included. The subjects had an Intraocular Pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg and glaucomatous optic nerve changes with corresponding visual field defects. Relevant history and comprehensive eye examination was done in all patients after obtaining consent. Results: Majority of the patients were in the age group 26- 35 years (40%, n=30). Among these patients, 41 (54.7%) were males, and 34 (45.3%) were females. The types of glaucoma seen in the present study were: 26 cases of Juvenile Open Angle Glaucoma (JOAG), 14 cases of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), 12 cases of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG), two cases of angle closure glaucoma in retinitis pigmentosa, five Secondary Angle Closure Glaucoma (SACG) which includes two neovasular glaucoma, one case each of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, iris meloncytoma suspect and microspherophakia, six cases of Pigmentary Glaucoma (PG), six cases of traumatic glaucoma and four cases of inflammatory open angle glaucoma. The most common symptom reported by these patients was defective vision (50%) but 16 (21.3%) patients were asymptomatic at presentation. Family history of glaucoma was positive in 22 (29.3%) of the patients and majority was found in JOAG. Out of 133 eyes, 79 eyes had Best Corrected Visual Acutity (BCVA) >6/18, in between 6/18-6/60 in 36 eyes 16 eyes, had <6/60 and two eyes had no perception of light. Conclusion: Periodic eye examination is warranted among the young population with positive family history of glaucoma to prevent severe visual loss and blindness.

Keywords

• angle closure glaucoma
• blindness
• intra ocular pressure
• juvenile open angle glaucoma
• optic neuropathy