Comparison of Baseline Ocular Demographic Characteristics Between Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Subjects and Controls

Abstract

Background: Primary Open-angle Glaucoma (POAG) is a prevalent eye disorder affecting masses. The general ocular characteristics routinely done in all patients are not paid special consideration which can add valuable ophthalmological information, and to enlighten about its efficacy is the main focus of the study. Objective: To determine and compare general ocular demographic attributes in cases of POAG and age-matched controls. Study Design: Case-control study. Settings: This case-control study was conducted at Al-Ain Eye Institute, Karachi Pakistan. Duration: 4 months from November 2018 till February 2019. Methods: After approval from Ethical Review Committee (ERC) of Bahria University Health Sciences (BUHS), 57 patients of POAG and 46 age-matched healthy controls, stratified into age-groups contributed as samples for the study. The ophthalmoscopic parameters were calibrated using slit-lamp bio-microscopy, tonometry and axial-length (AXL) electronic measurements. Independent sample T-test, along with Fischer exact and Mann Whitney-U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The baseline characteristics of AXL in cases was (24.23 ± 1.99mm) as opposed to (23.27 ± 1.99mm) in controls, Intraocular pressure (IOP) (p-value 0.000); with range in cases analyzed (20.05 ± 2.47 mmHg) as compared to (15.59 ± 3.46 mmHg) in controls. Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) also exhibited statistically significant results (p-value 0.000). Conclusion: Careful analysis of AXL, IOP and VCDR can provide beneficial knowledge in subjects. Deranged values can provide clue in undiagnosed cases of POAG and specific ocular tests should be employed in such cases.