Baseline Presentation and Ocular Parameters of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients Attending a Tertiary Eye Clinic in South-Western Nigeria

Purpose: To analyze the baseline presentation and ocular parameters of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma patients attending a Tertiary eye clinic in South-Western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The case records of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma patients aged 40 years and above who were diagnosed at the glaucoma clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital from April 2024 to September 2024 were retrieved and analyzed for the study. The data obtained were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Findings: One hundred and ten primary open angle glaucoma patients aged forty years and above were analyzed for the study. They comprised of 56 males (50.9%) and 54 females (49.1%), Age range 40-94 years, mean 67 SD+ 11 years. Majority of the eyes 155(70.5%) had a presenting visual acuity (PVA) of < 6/18 at diagnosis, 12.7% of which did not have mobility vision with a PVA of HM or less while 5.9% of the eyes could not perceive light in either or both eyes. The mean intraocular pressure was 28±6mmHg at diagnosis while the mean cup disc ratio(CDR) was 0.8. Ninety-nine patients (90.0%) presented due to visual problems of which 8 (7.2%) had outright loss of vision. The remaining 10.0% had non-visual complaints of either tearing or itching. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Majority of the patients seen in this study already had significant visual loss coupled with advanced clinical parameters diagnostic of POAG at presentation. Therefore, periodic eye screening for early case detection of POAG and routine screening of all adult patients that attend any eye care facility is highly recommended to ensure early diagnosis and prompt management in order to reduce the magnitude of blindness from the disease. Also there is need for advocacy for subsidized care by Government and other Non- Governmental agencies for Glaucoma in the environment to guarantee more access to Eye care by indigent patients.