TYPES OF GLAUCOMA AND BLINDNESS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY

Abstract

Aim-To describe the various types of glaucoma and glaucoma blindness in the Eye Clinic of the University 
of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a prospective study which was carried out among glaucoma patients in the Eye Clinic 
of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with the aim of describing the various types of glaucoma. All 
glaucoma patients presenting for the first time in the hospital eye clinic over a one year period were 
enrolled in the study. Data was obtained using interviewer administered questionnaires and ocular 
examination included visual acuity, gonioscopy, slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, tonometry and visual 
fields. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.
Results: Two thousand and twenty three (2,023) new patients were seen in the eye clinic within the study 
period and two hundred and sixty five (265) of these making 13.1% had various types of glaucoma. Primary 
Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) was the most common type seen among 63.4%, 22.3% patients had 
secondary glaucoma, 5.3% had juvenile glaucoma, 6.4% had Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma(PACG) 
while 2.6% had congenital glaucoma. Out of these patients one hundred and thirty three (50.2%) were 
blind either in one or both eyes at presentation. Educational status, age group and place of first 
presentation were significantly associated with blindness.
Conclusion: The percentage of new patients presenting in the Eye Clinic of the University of Benin 
Teaching Hospital with glaucoma is 13.1 %. POAG is the most common type of glaucoma followed by 
secondary glaucomas. Blindness was seen in over half, 50.2% of these new patients and was significantly 
associated with increasing age, lower educational status and first presentation with traditional healers.