Lens-induced glaucoma - In a Tertiary Eye Care Center, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Lens-induced glaucoma after untreated mature cataract is the commonest cause of secondary glaucoma in the developing world. The purpose of this study was to determine the common clinical features of lensinduced glaucoma, its management, and its outcome at Menelik II tertiary hospital, in Ethiopia.Methods and Materials: This was a retrospective study of cases that were seen at the hospital from January to December 2020. Lens-induced glaucoma patients who undergo cataract extraction were included in the study. Medical charts review was performed, and analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0 Software.Results: Forty-four lens-induced glaucoma patients were included in this study. Female participants were 65.9%. The mean age was 63.3(±Standard deviation (SD) 8.7) years. Phacomorphic glaucoma 88.6% was the leading cause. The common clinical symptoms identified were eye pain (100%), visual reduction (97.7%), and redness (38.8%). Visual acuity (3/60) or worse was reported in all patients with mean intraocular pressure of 37.3mmHg. After cataract surgery, the mean intraocular pressure reduced to 14.5± 6.55 mmHg while vision improved to better than 6/60 in 28 (63.6%) of patients. Of these, 21 (75%) patients seek medical treatment in the first two weeks of initial symptom.Conclusion: This study has identified the main cause of LIG was phacomorphic with the common clinical findings of pain, redness, and visual reduction. Early cataract extraction was associated with better final visual recovery and intraocular pressure control. An intraoperative complication was often observed in those with delayed presentation. Therefore, creating awareness among the general population and healthcare givers is key to the timely management of lens-induced glaucoma.