Structural and clinical characteristics of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma based on primary care data

PURPOSE. To assess the proportion of primary openangle glaucoma (POAG) among the patients of the diagnostic and treatment department (DTD). METHODS. All cases of patients with POAG presenting to the DTD during the first six months of 2022 were selected using continuous sampling. Standard ophthalmological examination was conducted. The retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex were assessed using optical oherence tomography. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using the Maklakov method, and some patients underwent point contact tonometry. RESULTS. A total of 236 patients with POAG (6.1%) sought medical care during the specified period. Among them, stage I POAG was diagnosed in 37.7%, stage II — in 27.9%, stage III — in 26.6%, and stage IV POAG — in 7.7%. In 79.6% of cases IOP was normal, in 15.7% it was moderately elevated, and in 4.6% it was high. In 60.1% of patients IOP values were intolerant, 27.3% of patients were not on a hypotensive regimen, and 19.6% used it irregularly. The target IOP level was achieved in 47.1% of patients who adhered regularly to the hypotensive regimen. POAG was newly diagnosed in 68 patients (28.8%). CONCLUSION. 1. A low adherence to glaucoma treatment was identified, with 27.3% of patients not receiving any hypotensive therapy and 19.6% showing partial adherence. A consistently normalized IOP level, according to the optimal upper limit values, was achieved in only 25% of patients under hypotensive therapy. The proportion of newly diagnosed glaucoma cases among the total number of patients presenting to the DTD was significant (1.75%), accounting for 28.8% of all analyzed POAG cases.