First Author: E.Kanonidou GREECE
Co Author(s): V. Konidaris C. Kanonidou L. Papazisis
Purpose:
Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a significant cause of visual impairment and accounts for a remarkable number of cases in ophthalmological practice.Our purpose is to evaluate the awareness of patients with POAG about the disease and its complications.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Veria, Veria, Greece.
Methods:
41 patients (16 male, 25 female), 63.5 years old (SD 6.7), with POAG under treatment, with seven yearsÂ’ duration (SD 6.53), participated in the study. All were high school graduates. Evaluation was performed using a questionnaire.
Results:
All the patients correlated glaucoma with increased IOP and 32% (13) knew about the effect of glaucoma on the optic nerve. 73% (30) were aware of the normal IOP range, 7% (3) of the different types of glaucoma while 67% (27) correlated changes in IOP with systemic blood pressure. 85% (35) considered effects of the disease on visual acuity and 31% (13) on visual field. All had knowledge of heredity as a risk factor; no one knew the importance of age, race, myopia and diabetes on the presentation and development of the disease. All thought that the follow-up examination consisted of tonometry, 31% (13) were aware of the need of fundoscopy and only 17% (7) knew the importance of perimetry. All considered drops as the standard method of treatment; no one knew about laser treatment while 33% (14) were aware of the possibility of surgery. 37% (15) believed that diet was responsible for the development of glaucoma while 76% (31) thought that its amendment would lead to a better control of the disease. 49% (20) expected improvement with therapy, the remaining considered that stabilization means treatment.
Conclusions:
The level of awareness of patients with POAG about the disease and its complications is not satisfactory. Insufficient is the knowledge regarding the relationship of glaucoma and optic neuropathy and the importance of the visual field examination. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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