Prevalence and risk factors associated with primary open angle glaucoma in diabetic patients in a tertiary care centre

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma accounting for at least half of all the glaucomas. It is also known as chronic open angle glaucoma and chronic simple glaucoma. It is usually asymptomatic until significant visual field loss has happened. Patients usually present with considerable amount of visual field loss in one eye and advanced disease in the other eye. Diabetes Mellitus is one among the risk factors for POAG. Objectives ▪ To study the hospital-based prevalence of POAG among the diabetic patients attending Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Kulasekharam. ▪ To study the risk factors associated with POAG. ▪ To screen all diabetic patients for glaucoma. Methods: In this study, 181 diabetic patients, both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent, attending Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, who came directly to Department of Ophthalmology or who were referred here for evaluation, between December 2016 and August 2018 had been screened to rule out Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Results: The results of the study show a clear-cut evidence of increased incidence of POAG in diabetic patients, which was 5%. There is a significant association between age and POAG. No significant association was found between gender and POAG. No significant association was found between duration of DM and prevalence of POAG. Conclusion: Primary Open Angle glaucoma is mostly asymptomatic until significant visual field loss has occurred. Patients usually presents with significant visual field loss in one eye and advanced disease in the other eye. It is associated with irreversible blindness. Thus, the public health importance of detecting undiagnosed and treatable glaucoma, as blindness has economic and societal consequences for the rest of an individual’s life. Several studies have shown an association between POAG and diabetes. From my study, I came to a conclusion that there is a clear-cut evidence of increased incidence of POAG in diabetic patients, which was 5%. Study also showed significant association between age and POAG. However, no significant association was found between gender and POAG as well as between duration of DM and prevalence of POAG.