Clinical Study of Lens–Induced Glaucoma in Elderly Population of Gulbarga

BACKGROUND In developing countries like India, it is essential to spread awareness about cataract and its complications like lens induced glaucoma, uveitis. Lens induced glaucoma (LIG) can lead to irreversible blindness due to secondary optic atrophy. The purpose of this study was to stress on early diagnosis and timely management in preventing blindness due to lens induced glaucoma in patients visiting ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Gulbarga. Karnataka. METHODS This retrospective descriptive type of statistical study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Gulbarga. Karnataka, from March 2018 to March 2021. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity was recorded in all patients after through history taking, ocular examination and fundoscopy. After subjecting for exclusion criteria, cases of LIG were confirmed and included in the study. RESULTS In our study we found total 25 cases having LIG, in that 9 were male patients (36 %) and 16 were females (64 %). Phacomorphic glaucoma was recorded in 19 patients (76 %) and phacolytic glaucoma in 5 cases (20 %). Intraocular pressure of 40 - 49 mmHg was recorded in 16 patients (64 %) followed by 30 – 39 mmHg in 5 patients (20 %) and 50 – 59 mmHg in 4 patients (16 %). In our study, 13 patients had visual acuity of counting fingers (CF) 3 meters to 5 meters (52 %) followed by 6/60 to 6/24 (20 %) and hand movements to counting fingers 3 metres in (12 %) and one patient had no perception of light (4 %). All patients underwent cataract surgery with intraocular implantation under local anaesthesia. After 2 weeks of follow up, vision restored was between 6/9 - 6/18 (40 %) in 10 patients followed by 6/18 - 6/60 (28 %) in 7 patients and no improvement in vision in one patient. CONCLUSIONS Glaucoma is one of the causes for irreversible blindness. Though overall prevalence is less than 5 % but gets its one of major contribution from lens induced glaucoma. One good thing about LIG is patient presents early due to loss of vision and pain, so if we intervene with early diagnosis and manage patients, vision can be restored successfully. KEYWORDS LIG, Cataract, IOP, Phacomorphic Glaucoma, Photolytic Glaucoma