Glaucoma Patterns among Patients at a Tertiary Eye Hospital

Background: Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with a variety of subtypes such as primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), and secondary glaucomas, each with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment challenges. The prevalence and patterns of glaucoma vary geographically, with PACG being more common in Asian populations. Early detection and management are crucial in preventing blindness, particularly in resource-limited settings where delayed diagnosis is common. Objective: This study aims to analyze the patterns of glaucoma among patients at a tertiary eye hospital in southern Bangladesh, focusing on the distribution of different glaucoma subtypes, demographic trends, and clinical characteristics. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted at the outpatient department of Sheikh Fazilatunnessa Mujib Eye Hospital & Training Institute (SFMEHTI), Gopalganj, Bangladesh, from January to December 2019. All patients presenting with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma were included. Data were collected on age, clinical diagnoses, symptoms, ocular examination findings, intraocular pressure (IOP), gonioscopic findings, and visual field tests. The glaucoma subtypes were classified based on the clinical presentation and diagnostic results. Results: The most common types of glaucoma were PACG (45%), POAG (32%), and lens-induced glaucoma (LIG) (12%). Other types included normal tension glaucoma (NTG) (6%), juvenile glaucoma (2%), congenital glaucoma (1%), neovascular glaucoma (NVG) (1%), and aphakic and others glaucoma (1%). At the time of presentation, 47% of patients had normal vision, 30% had visual impairment, 14% were severely visually impaired, and 5% were blind. The mean IOP was 26.29 mmHg in the right eye and 26.37 mmHg in the left eye. Gonioscopy revealed that the majority of patients had narrow angles, with a smaller percentage showing open or closed angles. Conclusion: Primary ...