Impact of Improved Eye Care Services on Time of Diagnosis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

The case notes of new glaucoma patients seen at the Eye Unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana between the period of January, 1996 and April 1998 were reviewed. The results were compared with a study done by Hagan et al. A total of two hundred and twenty eight case notes were reviewed. Only 20.2% were found to be blind in both eyes when first seen and 50.4% had useful vision in both eyes. This shows a great change as compared to the situation in 1986-1990 when 63.3% were blind in both eyes and only 20.1% had good vision in both eyes. About 25% of patients seen at the clinic were referred from outreach services run by ophthalmic nurses. 58% reported directly with blurred vision in one or both eyes; 15 .4% reported with other complains and only 13.3% were picked up from family screening during the period under review.