Analysis of glaucoma prevalence in population of Black Earth regions in 2014–2021.

The aim of the study is to analyze the dynamics of glaucoma prevalence and incidence in population of Black Earth regions in 2014–2021. Materials and methods. The dynamics of glaucoma incidence and prevalence was studied by data of medical aid appealability of population of Black Earth regions. Analysis covered the period from 2014 to 2021. The study of morbidity rates was based on data from statistical digests of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and Russian Research Institute of Health. Results. The research findings showed the increase in glaucoma prevalence in 2014–2021 in population of Black Earth regions in general (by 0,5%) and in the Voronezh Region (by 21,7%), the Kursk Region (by 24,9%) and the Tambov Region (by 7,1%). Two Black Earth regions showed the decrease in glaucoma prevalence – the Belgorod Region (by 7,0%) and the Lipetsk Region (by 3,7%). Glaucoma incidence rate during analyzed period is characterized by downward trend in Russia as a whole (by 22,4%), as well as in all the Black Earth regions: the Lipetsk Region by 63,4%, the Tambov Region by 32,6%, the Belgorod Region by 23,4%, the Kursk Region by 20,1%, the Voronezh Region by 1,8%. Conclusions. The increase in glaucoma prevalence and incidence in the population of Russia, the Voronezh Region, the Kursk Region, the Tambov Region indicates the accumulation of a patient population with previously diagnosed glaucoma due to increased expectation of life and decreased detection of new glaucoma cases. The decrease in glaucoma prevalence and incidence in the Belgorod Region and the Lipetsk Region indicates the decreased access of medical services for patients with ophthalmic disease in public medical establishments of these regions.