Is angle closure glaucoma a problem in Nigeria?

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the characteristics of angle closure glaucoma (ACG) in eye clinic patients of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A total of 336 consecutive new glaucoma patients of all age groups who presented to the glaucoma clinic of UCH over a 1 year period between December 2009 and November 2010 were evaluated. Each patient had a complete ophthalmic evaluation, including relevant history, visual acuity testing, slit‑lamp examination, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy with a Posner lens and standard automated perimetry. Patients with previous incisional surgery and corneal opacities precluding gonioscopy were excluded.
Results: Of the 336 patients, 60 eyes of 31 patients (9.2%) had angle closure with or without glaucoma. The mean age was 59.0 ± 15.4 years and there was a female predilection (58.1%). Forty eight eyes (80%) had primary angle closure glaucoma, eight eyes (13.4%) had primary angle closure, two eyes (3.3%) had plateau iris syndrome and two eyes (3.3%) had secondary ACG (post uveitis). Also, 45.2% of the patients presented with at least one blind eye (<3/60). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at presentation was 28.7 ± 12.7 mmHg. A total of 54.8% presented with advanced glaucoma (mean deviation >12 dB). Twelve eyes underwent laser iridotomy or surgical iridotomy and others had trabeculectomy or antiglaucoma medications. Mean IOP post intervention was 17.4 ± 6.9 mmHg.
Conclusion: ACG is not an uncommon disease. Early and effective diagnosis is important to prevent blindness.

Key words: Angle closure, glaucoma, Nigeria