Severity of Glaucoma at Presentation in  Bauchi, Nigeria: Glaucoma

Abdull M. Mahdi; Evans  Jennifer; Gilbert Clare

Authors

Abdull M. Mahdi Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Evans Jennifer University of York, UK
Gilbert Clare London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the stage of primary open angle glaucoma at presentation at a tertiary eye unit, to assess patient’s knowledge of glaucoma and acceptance and subsequent adherence to treatment. Glaucoma, a chronic disease of unknown aetiology, causes irreversible blindness. The prevalence of glaucoma blindness is higher in Africa than other regions. The disease is more aggressive and rapidly progressive. Control of glaucoma is inadequate in Africa: Glaucoma patients usually present very late, often blind in one eye, as they are poor and uneducated. Acceptance of surgical treatment is poor as there is no visual benefit; many cannot understand why surgery is being offered for the “wrong eye”.^1-3

Views | Downloads: 57 / 17

References

Quigley, H.A. and A.T. Broman, The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol, 2006. 90(3): 262-267.

Resnikoff, S., et al., Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ, 2004. 82(11): 844-851.

Abdull, M. M., S. Sivasubramaniam, et al. (2009). “Causes of blindness and visual impairment in Nigeria: the Nigeria national blindness and visual impairment survey.” Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci50(9): 4114-4120.

Abdull MM, Chandler C and Gilbert C. Glaucoma, “the silent thief of sight”: patients’ perspectives and health seeking behaviour in Bauchi, northern Nigeria. BMC Ophthalmology. 2016; 16(1): 1-9.

Miller WR, Rollnick S. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change, (Applications of Motivational Interviewing) 3rd Edition. 3 ed: The

Guilford Press; 2012.

Abdull MM, Gilbert C, McCambridge J and Evans J. Adapted motivational interviewing to improve the uptake of treatment for glaucoma in Nigeria: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2014;15(1):149