The distinguishing anthropometric features of the Saudi Arabian eyes

Purpose

Identifying the peri-ocular anthropometric measurements characteristic of Saudi Arabian eyes.

Methods

A prospective, cohort, hospital-based study.

Results

Measurements were made on 668 subjects (mean age 33.8 years; 58.7% female). The horizontal palpebral aperture was 30.1 ± 2.9 mm (mean ± SD), vertical palpebral aperture was 10.1 ± 0.85 mm, upper lid skin fold height was 3.6 ± 1.9 mm, upper lid crease height was 9.6 ± 0.8 mm, eyebrow height was 10.2 ± 2.7 mm, and intercanthal distance was 32 ± 2.7 mm. There was a statistically significant correlation between gender and eyebrow height (P = 0.001) and gender and horizontal palpebral aperture (P = 0.016), but no significant correlations were noted between any measurement and age.

Conclusions

Saudi Arabian eyes are unique in exhibiting a higher upper lid skin fold, higher lid crease.     

Randot stereoacuity norms in a population of Saudi Arabian children

Background : The onset and development of stereoacuity in children have been investigated by several authors. In addition to the study of those aspects of stereopsis, it is also important to collect normative data, which can be applied in the clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to establish Randot stereoacuity norms using a Saudi Arabian children population. Method : The Randot stereo test was used to measure stereoacuity for 791 male primary school children (aged six to 12 years) with normal vision. A battery of tests was used to establish that each child had normal eyes and vision prior to the stereoacuity measurement. Results : The range of stereoacuities for all the age groups at 40 cm was 70 to 20 seconds of arc, except for the nine-year-old children in whom the range was 50 to 20 seconds of arc. More than one half (57.5 per cent) of the children achieved 29 seconds of arc. The mean stereoacuity for all of the children was 25.32 seconds of arc with a standard deviation of 9.93 seconds of arc. The mean stereoacuity for the children decreased from 29.11 seconds of arc at six years to 23.61 seconds of arc at 11 years. An inter-subject variation in stereoacuity development was observed.     

[Online First]Evaluation of retinal and choroidal changes in patients with Alzheimer’s type dementia using optical coherence tomography angiography

AIM: To evaluate the changes in fundus parameters in patients with Alzheimer’s type dementia (ATD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), to record flash electroretinograms (ERG) using the RETeval system and to explore changes in retinal function. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with ATD and 26 age-matched normal subjects were enrolled. All subjects underwent OCTA scans to analyse the superficial retinal vessel parameters in the macular area, including the vessel length density, the vessel perfusion density and the area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), as well as the choroidal thickness. The differences between the patients with ATD and the normal control group were compared and explored the relevant factors affecting vessel parameters. We also recorded the flash ERGs using the RETeval system and intended to explore changes in retinal function by analysing the ERG image amplitude in patients with ATD. RESULTS: The vessel parameters [Pvessel length density=0.005 and Pvessel perfusion density=0.006) and average choroid thickness (P<0.001) in the macular area of the ATD group was less than the control group, The FAZ area was statistically significantly enlarged in the ATD group (P<0.001). These parameters were correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). CONCLUSION: Patients with ATD exhibit decreases in the parameters associated with fundus. In addition, these indicators significantly correlated with the MMSE score and the MoCA score. OCTA may be an adjunct tool with strong potential to track changes in the diagnosis and monitoring the progression of the disease.     

Lack of Association Between LOXL1 Gene Polymorphisms and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in the Saudi Arabian Population

Purpose: To investigate whether major single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LOXL1 gene associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma are associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Saudi Arabian population.

Methods: The regions of the LOXL1 gene associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, encompassing the three common SNPs, (rs1048661, rs3825942 and rs2165241), were sequenced in a Saudi Arabian dataset consisting of 96 POAG cases and 101 healthy controls.

Results: The allele frequency of the G exfoliation risk allele for SNP rs1048661 in POAG cases and controls was 0.75 and 0.76 (p?=?0.886), respectively and the allele frequency difference was not statistically significant (p?=?0.866). There was no statistically significant difference in the genotypes between patients and controls (p?=?0.261 and 0.156 for genotypes G/G and G/T respectively). As for SNP rs3825942, the frequency of the “G” allele in the POAG patients was comparable to that in the controls (p?=?0.477) and there was no statistically significant difference in genotype G/G and A/G frequency in the study groups. As for SNP rs2165241, the “T” allele frequency in the POAG patients (0.46) was slightly higher than the frequency in controls (0.39), but this difference was not statistically significant (p?=?0.176).

Conclusion: The Saudi Arabian POAG population, similar to all other populations studied to date, demonstrates no association with SNPs associated with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.     

Low prevalence of trachoma in the South Western part of Saudi Arabia,results of a population based study

Trachoma remains one of the world's leading causes of blindness. A population based survey of the prevalence of trachoma was conducted in the South Western part of Saudi Arabia in the period of between July and November 1991. Overall, 7126 people were examined. Of these, 19 (0.26%) persons had active trachoma and 35 (0.5%) people had inactive trachoma. Sequelae of trachoma included conjunctival scarring, trichiasis and corneal scarring. Among 635 subjects with visual impairment, 6 (0.95%) patients had visual impairment due to trachoma. Trachoma does not seem to be a major ophthalmic problem in this area and proper management of the complications of trachoma will exclude it from the causes of blindness and visual impairment in this part of Saudi Arabia.     

The profile of glaucoma in a Tertiary Ophthalmic University Center in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Purpose

To report the pattern of glaucoma among Saudi patients who were presented to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital (KAUH).

Methods

All glaucoma or glaucoma suspect patients who were presented to KAUH from 2006 to 2008 were included; medical files of all patients were retrieved and evaluated through standardized international guidelines. Collected data included: age, sex, laterality, intraocular pressure, and cup/disk ratio. Prevalence of different glaucoma types (including 95% CI) was calculated, ANOVA and post hoc tests were applied to evaluate the difference in indices across different types.

Results

A total of 2296 eyes of 1236 patients were included. Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) was the predominant type (46.6%) followed by primary angle closure (PAC) (17.2%), then primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (12.8%), and secondary glaucoma (13%). Other types including (normal tension glaucoma (5.9%), childhood glaucoma (2.6%), and juvenile glaucoma (1.9%)) were also present but of lower prevalence.

Conclusion

Primary angle closure glaucoma was the predominant form of glaucoma followed by PAC, and POAG suggesting that the pattern in Saudi Arabia could be quite different from that reported for primary glaucomas in the Western literature. In addition, pseudoexfoliation was the most common form of secondary open and closed angle glaucoma. These results indicate the need for a national intervention program for early detection and referral of glaucoma cases in order to prevent significant visual loss. There is also a need for a community based assessment to determine the prevalence of glaucoma as a baseline for future intervention.     

Efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma. Methods: A prospective cohort of 120 children presenting with glaucoma to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital (KAUH) was subjected to nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy surgery (NPDS). Eventually, 57 patients had macro perforation and converted to penetrating deep sclerectomy (PDS). Intra‐operative mitomycin C (MMC) 0.2 mg/ml was used in all patients. Pre‐ and postintervention glaucoma indices were assessed. Complete success rate (CSR) was identified as achieving an end‐point of intraocular pressure <21 without any antiglaucoma medications. Data were analysed to compare pre‐ and postintervention changes and to compare both procedures. Results: After follow‐up of 35.8 (34.5) months, NPDS procedure went smooth in 74 eyes of 63 patients. The complete success rate was 79.7%, whereas the overall success rate was 82.4%. Thirteen cases failed. The probability to survive was 74.6% after the 12th month. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) went down to 11.5 ± 3.0 mmHg compared to 31.9 mmHg preoperatively. Comparing cases with NPDS to those with PDS, the magnitude of IOP reduction (15.8) was higher than that of the PDS (14.8); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.259). Apart from involuntary perforation of trabeculodescemetic window (TDW), neither intra‐operative nor early postoperative complications were observed. Conclusions: Deep sclerectomy in childhood glaucoma can effectively reduce the IOP, without the occurrence of serious complications that are commonly seen after trabeculotomy or combined trabeculotomy trabeculectomy.     

原发性开角型青光眼患者一级亲属青光眼患病率调查

目的：了解成都地区原发性开角型青光眼（POAG）患者≥40 岁的一级亲属青光眼患病情况,研究家族史这一危险因素在POAG发病中的作用。方法：病例对照研究。选取2014 年2 月至2015 年10 月期间在华西医院确诊的99 例POAG患者为先证者,其≥40 岁的一级亲属290 例作为病例组。同期来院行白内障手术（无其他合并眼部疾病）的105 例患者,其≥40 岁的一级亲属355 例作为对照组。分别进行问卷调查和青光眼筛查。采用t 检验、卡方检验,多元Logistic回归等进行统计学分析。结果：①病例组总患病率高于对照组（10.7% vs . 1.4%,χ2=26.090,P ＜0.001）。②病例组女性青光眼患病率高于对照组女性青光眼患病率（11.7% vs . 1.6%,χ2=15.203,P ＜0.001）,病例组男性青光眼患病率也高于对照组男性青光眼患病率（9.8% vs . 1.2%,χ2=11.098,P ＜0.001）。③按年龄（＜50 岁、50～59岁、60～69岁、≥70岁）分层,在＜50岁、50～59岁、≥70岁这3个年龄亚组,病例组青光眼患病率均明显高于对照组（χ2=14.328、4.919、6.959,P ＜0.05）。④在调整年龄和性别的影响后,病例组患病风险是对照组的8.45倍（95%CI：3.24～22.06）,其中病例组中子女患病风险为对照组的11.53倍（95%CI：2.45～54.26）。⑤92.1%的POAG患者一级亲属无青光眼筛查意识。结论：POAG患者≥40岁以上的一级亲属患病风险明显高于其他人群,绝大多数POAG患者一级亲属缺乏进行青光眼筛查的意识。     

Uveal melanoma in the Saudi Arabian population: Two decades of management at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital

Objective

To present the experience of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) with uveal melanoma over the last two decades in a fashion similar to the result of the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS).

Design

Retrospective, non-comparative, interventional, case series.

Participants

All patients were diagnosed with uveal melanoma at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from June 1983 to July 2005 and met the inclusion criteria of the COMS.

Methods

A medical record review of clinical history, imaging studies, surgical procedures and treatment outcome was performed.

Results

Forty patients (24 males and 16 females) with uveal melanoma (average age 50 years; range 24–77 years) were included in the study; 28 (70%) were of Saudi Arabian descent and the remaining 12 (30%) patients were from neighboring Arab countries. Decreased vision was the main presenting complaint of 29 (72.5%) patients; the duration of this symptom was 3 months or more in 27 (67.5%) patients. The apical height of the tumor was 10 mm or more in nine (22.5%) of the affected eyes and the largest basal dimension was more than 16 mm in nine (22.5%) of the affected eyes. The posterior border of the tumor was 1–2 mm from the optic disc in three (7.5%) affected eyes. Primary enucleation was performed for 33 (82.5%) eyes, episcleral radiation plaque therapy for six (15%) of the eyes and endo resection of the uveal melanoma in one (2.5%) eye. Adjunct external beam radiation therapy was performed in two (5%) orbits for extrascleral extension. The histopathological diagnosis was available for 34 (84%) eyes in which surgery had been performed (33 patients underwent primary enucleation and one patient underwent endo resection of the uveal melanoma); 24 (70.6%) eyes had spindle cell and the remaining 10 (29.4%) had epithelioid or mixed cell types. Evidence of extraocular tumor extension was found in three eyes. The average follow-up was 33.7 months with a median of 19 months (range 0.5 months to 10 years). Two (5%) patients developed metastasis after 2 years and 5 years from the initial treatment of large and medium-sized uveal melanomas, respectively.

Conclusion

Individuals of Saudi Arabian ancestry appear to have a low incidence of uveal melanoma. Further studies are required to estimate the true incidence of uveal melanoma in the larger Arab population. Early detection is essential for improving the patient outcomes. Regular communication between the tertiary care eye centers and the local ophthalmic care providers is required to enhance the understanding about uveal melanoma behavior in Arab population.     

Choroidal thickness measurements in young Saudi adult population: a cross-sectional study

AIM: To determine the choroidal thickness (CT) in young healthy Saudi adults using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with an automated CT segmentation software. METHODS: Fifty-eight young adults (total of 116 eyes), 39 males and 19 females participated in this study between the ages of 18 and 38y (mean 22.65±3.9y). All participants underwent ophthalmic screening examination, including the SD-OCT for measurements of CT in each quadrant egmented into five eccentric regions starting from the foveal region up to 4.5 mm towards the periphery. RESULTS: The choroid was thickest in the foveal region (central 1 mm, 300±60 µm) and began to progressively thinner beyond the parafovea (1.5–2.5 mm, 284±67 µm) towards the peripheral region (3.5–4.5 mm from the fovea, 254±83 µm). The superior choroid showed the thickest profile (309±57 µm), while the nasal choroid exhibited the thinnest (229±76 µm). The rate of the thinning with increasing eccentricity was more predominant in the nasal choroid, which thinned from the foveal region (294±58 µm) to the peripheral region (158±55 µm). The superior and inferior choroid did not show a statistically significant thinning with eccentricity (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the CT between gender, age, and laterality of the eyes (all P>0.05). A significant association of myopia with thinner subfoveal choroid was observed (Pearson’s, r=0.37), and regression analysis showed that a 10.3 µm choroidal thinning for each diopter increase of myopia. CONCLUSION: CT profile depends on eccentric and the quadrant. The CT profile across the measured area in the young Saudi adult population is comparable to other previous reports. Refractive error is critical for CT evaluation.     

Prevalence of Glaucoma in Adults with Down's Syndrome

Purpose

To compare the prevalence of glaucoma in adults with Down's syndrome (DS) to that in non-DS control adults.

Methods

Twenty-six patients (14 men and 12 women) with DS and 188 control subjects (105 men and 83 women) were studied. The mean age was 35.1 ± 6.9 (± SD) years in the DS group and 36.9 ± 5.2 years in the control group. There were no significant differences in age or sex distribution between the two groups. Glaucoma was diagnosed by two glaucoma specialists based on the optic disc findings obtained through dilated pupils.

Results

The prevalence of patients with glaucoma in the DS group was 11.5%, significantly higher (P = 0.014) than that in the control group, 1.1%. There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between glaucomatous eyes (12.2 ± 3.2?mmHg) and nonglaucomatous eyes (11.1 ± 4.1?mmHg) in the DS group (P = 0.465).

Conclusions

The prevalence of glaucoma in adult patients with DS was significantly higher than that in age-matched control subjects.?Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006;50:274–276 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006     

Nigeria Normative Data for Defining Glaucoma in Prevalence Surveys

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To determine normative values for defining glaucoma in cross-sectional surveys in Nigerian adults.

Methods: Multistage stratified cluster random sampling with probability-proportional-to-size procedures to select a nationally representative sample of 15,027 persons aged ≥40 years in 305 clusters across Nigeria. Systematic sampling of 1 in 7 participants gave 1759 who were examined in detail to construct a normative database. The normative subset was used to determine values for vertical cup/disc ratio (VCDR) and intraocular pressure (IOP) for glaucoma diagnosis according to the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. Examinations included visual field testing by frequency doubling technology (FDT), Goldmann applanation tonometry, and optic disc image grading by Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Centre.

Results: In the normative dataset, 1057/1759 persons (60.1%) had normal FDTs, and constituted the hypernormal. Of these, 851 had VCDR and 973 had IOP measurements taken in both eyes. For category 1 (structural and functional evidence of glaucoma), the 97.5th percentile VCDR was 0.7. For category 2 (advanced structural damage with unproven visual field loss), the 99.5th percentile VCDR was 0.75. In addition, asymmetry in VCDR was 0.1 difference at the 97.5th percentile and 0.2 difference at the 99.5th percentile. Category 3 criteria were used when the optic disc was not visible and field testing not possible; 99.5th percentile IOP is one criterion (28?mmHg).

Conclusion: While these results do not differentiate between open-angle and angle-closure mechanisms, they can be applied to determine the prevalence of glaucoma in Nigeria and sub-Saharan African countries with similar sociodemographic characteristics.     

Glaucoma drainage devices: a systematic literature review and current controversies

Glaucoma drainage devices create alternate aqueous pathways by channeling aqueous from the anterior chamber through a long tube to an equatorial plate that promotes bleb formation. Glaucoma drainage devices are being used more frequently in the treatment of glaucoma that does not respond to medications or trabeculectomy operations. In certain conditions, such as neovascular glaucoma, iridio-corneal syndrome, penetrating keratoplasty with glaucoma, glaucoma following retinal detachment surgery, and so on, it is becoming the primary operation. This review provides a systematic review of the literature and outlines the current controversies involving different glaucoma drainage devices and their design, overall surgical success, and complications following glaucoma drainage device insertion.     

LV Prasad Eye Institute Glaucoma Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (LVPEI- GLEAMS). Report 1: Study Design and Research Methodology

Abstract

Purpose: In the developing world, more than 90% of glaucoma is undetected due to the lack of appropriate screening methods. The LV Prasad Eye Institute Glaucoma Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (LVPEI-GLEAMS) is a population-based study which aims to estimate the prevalence of, along with clinical, systemic and genetic risk factors for glaucoma in a rural population sampled from the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The study aims to develop community screening strategies to diagnose glaucoma. This article describes the methodology adopted in LVPEI-GLEAMS.

Methods: A sample of 3833 participants aged 40 years and older has been estimated to be enrolled using a compact segment sampling method with probability proportionate to size. Each participant will undergo a complete medical history and comprehensive eye examination including slit lamp photography, imaging of anterior and posterior segment, frequency doubling technology and standard automated perimetry. Additionally, glycosylated hemoglobin will be measured and a genetic profile based on candidate gene analysis will be undertaken. Clinical, biochemical and genetic data will be stored in a computerized database and analyzed. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that it is conducted at a vision center (primary eye care center serving a population of 50,000) by a vision technician (high school educated rural youth trained in basic ophthalmic techniques for a year).

Conclusion: Information from the diagnostic techniques of the study will be used to develop effective community-level screening strategies, and insights from risk factors associated with glaucoma will help develop appropriate detection and management strategies.     

Analysis of Catalase SNP rs1001179 in Saudi patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether the g.4760C?>?T mutation in the catalase gene (CAT) is a risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Saudi population.

Methods: A cohort of 225 unrelated POAG patients and 403 unrelated control subjects from Saudi Arabia were genotyped for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs1001179; g.4760C?>?T) in the CAT gene utilizing Taq-Man® assay. The association between mutant genotypes and various clinical indices important for POAG was also investigated.

Results: The distribution of different genotypes was comparable between both study groups. The genotype “C/C” was predominant among cases; 169 (75.1%) as well as among the controls; 289 (71.7%). As for the heterozygous mutated genotype “C/T”, it was present in 52 (23.1%) of cases and 103 (25.6%) of controls, where the homozygous fully mutated genotype was present in only 4 (1.8%) of cases and 11 (2.7%) of the controls. The distribution of mutant allele was similar in both study groups (p?=?0.218). Interestingly, there was a trend of association between the type of the mutation (homozygous versus heterozygous) and three clinical parameters important for predicting the severity of the disease. These parameters include mean age of onset, mean level of intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean months of duration of encountering glaucoma.

Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences between cases and controls in terms of the different genotype distribution. This mutation is possibly associated with various clinical indices important for POAG and thus may be used as a parameter for assessing POAG severity, at least in this population.     

陕西省农村人群青光眼的流行病学调查

目的:调查陕西省农村≥50岁人群中青光眼的患病情况。方法:2003-07/12,采用按比例随机整群抽样的方法在陕南、陕北及关中3个地区农村调查8500人,其中≥50岁人群有2125人。所有受检人员均进行标准问卷调查,包括询问青光眼确诊史、家族史、发作史及手术史,并进行了相关的眼科检查,包括视力、外眼、前房深度及眼底检查。≥50岁人群应用压平式眼压计测量眼压,对可疑青光眼者进行进一步检查,包括复查眼压、前房角镜检查、激发试验、视野检查。结果:≥50岁人群中有1775人完成了青光眼的相关检查,受检率为83.53%。青光眼的患病率为2.14%,其中原发性闭角型青光眼、原发性开角型青光眼、继发性青光眼患病率分别为1.63%、0.39%、0.11%。55.26%青光眼患者存在不同程度的视力损伤,其中单眼低视力、双眼低视力、单眼盲及双眼盲所占比例依次为18.42%、5.26%、18.42%和13.16%。事前未被诊断为青光眼的患者占71.05%(27例),在另外28.95%(11例)有确诊史的青光眼患者中只有6例(54.55%)曾接受过治疗。正常眼的眼压平均值为13.9±2.2mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa),随着年龄的增加眼压有增加的趋势(P<0.05)。结论:陕西省农村人群青光眼的患病率为2.14%,但原发性闭角型青光眼和原发性开角型青光眼在原发性青光眼中的比例为4.18:1。无确诊史的青光眼患者占大多数。     

Prevalence of Glaucoma in the Wroclaw Population. The Wroclaw Epidemiological Study

Purpose: Primarily to determine the prevalence of various types of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Wroclaw inhabitants aged 40–79 years. The second aim of the study was to determine the number of undiagnosed glaucoma cases in this population. Methods: A representative group of the Wroclaw population (4853 people aged from 40 to 79 years) was recruited by a proportional simple random sampling selection with stratification. All participants underwent the first, screening-stage examination, which included a medical history interview, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, anterior chamber depth assessment by the Van Herrick technique, and optic nerve head (ONH) assessment by means of indirect ophthalmoscopy (Volk's lens), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy with a Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) and scanning laser polarimetry by the GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer (GDx). The second stage, in glaucoma-suspect patients only, included best corrected visual acuity, static perimetry, 24-hour monitoring of IOP, gonioscopy, and full eye examination with mydriasis. Glaucoma was diagnosed by the presence of any two of the following: characteristic morphological changes in the optic disc, glaucomatous visual field abnormalities, and intraocular pressure greater than 21 mmHg. Results: The overall prevalence of glaucoma was 1.6% (79 subjects). The prevalence increased with age from 0.4% in subjects belonging to the age group 40–49 years to 4.6% in people aged between 70 and 79 years. The prevalence of definite primary open-angle glaucoma was 1.0% (49 subjects). Normal-pressure glaucoma was diagnosed in 13 subjects (0.3%). Ocular hypertension was diagnosed in 92 subjects (1.9%). Conclusion: The prevalence of the different types of glaucoma was similar to that found in other white populations. Among the subjects examined, 79 had various forms of glaucoma and 71% of them had not previously been diagnosed. Undiagnosed glaucoma is a serious public health problem in Poland.     

Intraocular pressure modifications in patients with acute central/hemicentral retinal vein occlusions

AIM: To explore levels and determinants of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included adult patients from October to the end of December 2018. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed by the researchers to measure the levels of awareness and knowledge about 18 basic information about glaucoma. The sheet was divided into 4 domains: types of glaucoma; risk factors; clinical features; and management. A knowledge score (KS, range= 0-18) was calculated, with higher scores indicating higher levels. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients responded to the questionnaire, 61.9% males, mean±SD age was 38.5±12.94 years old, and 61.6% had a university degree or higher. Of them, 6.3% and 23.2% reported personal and family history of glaucoma, respectively. The most frequently reported source of information about glaucoma was another person with glaucoma (28.2%), followed by physicians (24.8%) and TV (19.6%). Knowledge by item ranged from 3.1% to 82.5% correctness rate, while KS showed mean=5.91 and median=5; and reliability testing of the knowledge scale showed Cronbach’s alpha=0.782. Higher KS were found among respondents with higher educational level (P =0.036), diabetes history (P=0.025), and personal (P<0.001) and family (P<0.001) history of glaucoma. CONCLUSION: This study reveals low awareness and knowledge levels about glaucoma among the attendees of a local eye care hospital, where several misconceptions about disease risk factors, clinical features, and management are identified.     

Risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma in a Burmese population: the Meiktila Eye Study

PURPOSE: To report the risk factors associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Burmese population. METHODS: The Meiktila Eye study, a population-based cross-sectional study, included inhabitants 40 years of age and over from villages in the Meiktila District. Of 2481 eligible participants identified, 2076 participated in the study and sufficient examination data to diagnose glaucoma in at least one eye was obtained in 1997 participants. The ophthalmic examination included slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. Definitions adhered to the International Society for Geographic and Epidemiological Ophthalmology's recommendations. Univariate and multivariate analyses of potential risk factors were performed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of POAG was 2.0% (95% CI 0.9-3.1). In the univariate analysis, increasing age (P = 0.024), spherical equivalent (P = 0.01), axial length (P = 0.023) and intraocular pressure (IOP; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with POAG. And in the multivariate analysis, myopia <0.5 D (P = 0.049), increasing age and IOP (P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for POAG. CONCLUSION: POAG in this Burmese population was associated with increasing age, axial myopia and IOP.