{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Clinical and demographic profile of patients less than 40 years of age presenting to glaucoma services at a tertiary care eye hospital in South India.
{Author}: Parab A;Kavitha S;Odayappan A;Venkatesh R;
{Journal}: Indian J Ophthalmol
{Volume}: 70
{Issue}: 12
{Year}: 12 2022
{Factor}: 2.969
{DOI}: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_963_22
{Abstract}: To study the clinical and demographic profile of patients less than 40 years of age presenting to glaucoma services including the reasons for referral.<BR>Patients in the age group of 5 to 39 years, visiting the glaucoma clinic, who were either suspected to have glaucoma or who had been newly/previously diagnosed with glaucoma were included in the study. After informed written consent, basic demographic details of the participants including age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, and family history were obtained. A comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation was performed by glaucoma specialists.<BR>The proportion of glaucoma in the study population (n = 384) was found to be 31.25%, and the incidence of glaucoma among new patients was found to be 11.9%. Among all glaucomas (n = 120), 44.2% of patients had secondary glaucomas, 27.5% had primary glaucomas, and 28.3% had congenital glaucomas. Also, 67.3% of all glaucoma patients were males. Newly diagnosed glaucoma patients presented with a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of 32.9 mmHg and mild-moderate disc damage with a mean cup-disc ratio of 0.65. Nearly one-third of them had a presenting visual acuity worse than 5/60. The most common reason for referral was raised IOP. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of developing glaucoma were less in females (P = 0.04) and in patients with a higher standard of living index (P < 0.001).<BR>One-third of the patients had glaucoma and another one-third were suspects. Secondary glaucomas are more common than primary/congenital glaucomas. A comprehensive eye evaluation is a must, especially in those with predisposing factors.