Willingness to Consent to Trabeculectomy among Adult Patients Diagnosed with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in a Tertiary Health Institution in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness in West Africa.¹ It is the second most common cause of blindness after cataract and accounts for about 30% of blindness globally.² The Nigerian National blindness and low vision survey reported a prevalence of 16.7% of blindness from glaucoma.³ Epidemiological studies have reported a higher prevalence of the disease among individuals of West African descent.⁴ Studies have also documented a higher prevalence of developing the disease at a younger age among individuals from West African decent with a higher risk of people going blind from glaucomatous optic atrophy following late presentation.^2,4  Despite the recommendation that trabeculectomy remains the first line treatment option in glaucoma management for Africans, several studies in Africa have documented poor uptake of glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy) among patients diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) even when the surgery is provided free.^5,6 This study therefore seeks to assess the willingness of patients diagnosed with Primary open Angle glaucoma to consent to Trabeculectomy surgery as a management option for the disease.