M Gyasi1, W Amoako, M Adjuik. 1. Bawku Hospital - Eye Department, P.O.Box 45, Bawku, Upper East Region, Ghana.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Previous reports have indicated that open angle glaucoma is a major problem in the Upper East region of Ghana. Such reports have shown high prevalence among young patients under the age of 40 years. None has given enough details on the burden, pattern of distribution and extent of changes in the optic nerve head and intraocular pressures. This study aims at addressing these issues in order to highlight the situation. METHODS: Retrospective case series involving review of clinical records of all first-time attendants diagnosed with glaucoma at the Bawku Hospital between October 2003 and December 2005. Case definitions and diagnostic criteria were made to conform as much as possible to the ISGEO and EGS recommendations. Data analysis was done using the Epi-Info software. RESULTS: Records of 891 eyes of 446 patients were reviewed. Median age was 56 years with 23.6% below 40 years. POAG was diagnosed in 98.4% with 8.3% manifesting the NTG variant. One third (34.1%) of all the patients reported bilaterally blind while half were uniocularly blind. Nearly a third (70.2%) had CDRs>0.8 while more than half (54.9%) had CDRs measured at unity. Males were twice as many as females (65.5% and 34.5% respectively) but blindness sequelae among the latter was twice as much and this was statistically significant (p=0.0008;chi2 test) CONCLUSION: late presentation of open angle glaucoma cases is a major problem in this part of Ghana. We recommend a more aggressive approach to tackle the disease and reduce its blindness sequelae.
INTRODUCTION: Previous reports have indicated that open angle glaucoma is a major problem in the Upper East region of Ghana. Such reports have shown high prevalence among young patients under the age of 40 years. None has given enough details on the burden, pattern of distribution and extent of changes in the optic nerve head and intraocular pressures. This study aims at addressing these issues in order to highlight the situation. METHODS: Retrospective case series involving review of clinical records of all first-time attendants diagnosed with glaucoma at the Bawku Hospital between October 2003 and December 2005. Case definitions and diagnostic criteria were made to conform as much as possible to the ISGEO and EGS recommendations. Data analysis was done using the Epi-Info software. RESULTS: Records of 891 eyes of 446 patients were reviewed. Median age was 56 years with 23.6% below 40 years. POAG was diagnosed in 98.4% with 8.3% manifesting the NTG variant. One third (34.1%) of all the patients reported bilaterally blind while half were uniocularly blind. Nearly a third (70.2%) had CDRs>0.8 while more than half (54.9%) had CDRs measured at unity. Males were twice as many as females (65.5% and 34.5% respectively) but blindness sequelae among the latter was twice as much and this was statistically significant (p=0.0008;chi2 test) CONCLUSION: late presentation of open angle glaucoma cases is a major problem in this part of Ghana. We recommend a more aggressive approach to tackle the disease and reduce its blindness sequelae.
Authors: C T Ntim-Amponsah; W M K Amoaku; S Ofosu-Amaah; R K Ewusi; R Idirisuriya-Khair; E Nyatepe-Coo; M Adu-Darko Journal: Eye (Lond) Date: 2004-05 Impact factor: 3.775
Authors: Andrew W Francis; Michael E Gyasi; Martin Adjuik; Emmanuel Kesse; Yifan Chen; Rhys S R Harrison; R A Kodjo Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2014-09 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: Daniel J Jackson; Mohammad S Razai; Rosemary Falama; Matlhogonolo Mongwa; Mishell Mutapanduwa; Chao Baemisi; Engelinah Josiah; Oathokwa Nkomazana; Alice Lehasa; Evelyn Brealey; Andrew J White; Deborah Jankowski; Malcolm G Kerr-Muir; Keith R Martin; Jeremiah M Ngondi Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-12-03 Impact factor: 2.692