Title: Glaucoma Awareness- Study from North India
Authors: Angli Manhas, Gaurav S Manhas, Rameshwar S Manhas
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i4.81
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is one of the second leading cause of blindness worldwide which is a serious concern especially in developing country like India where majority of glaucoma patients at the time of presentation are already blind in one eye. Thus to reduce the visual disability, recover the quality of vision & life, early diagnosis & treatment of glaucoma is mandatory. In order to prevent, early diagnosis & manage glaucoma awareness of glaucoma plays important role & thus makes lot of difference.
Aims: The objective of the study was to see awareness among rural population regarding glaucoma which is potentially blinding ocular disease.
Materials & Methods: The present cross sectional observational study was conducted to assess the awareness regarding glaucoma in rural population using pilot tested semi-structure question-naire which was explained to every participant in their local language for better understanding. Data regarding awareness, source of knowledge about glaucoma etc was collected.
Results: Among 230 participants maximum number of participants i.e. 64.3% were seen in age group of ≥ 60yrs while males outnumbered females i.e.61.7% in the present study. Only 26.1% of participants were aware of glaucoma & source of information among aware was friends/relatives (80%). About 30 % of aware participants knew that glaucoma is treatable & 20% answered that blindness in glaucoma patients can be prevented.
Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma in rural population is low. Awareness of glaucoma in rural population is very important as rural area caters 70% of Indian population & knowledge regarding glaucoma helps in prevention of blindness due to glaucoma.
Keywords: Awareness, Glaucoma, Knowledge, Rural.
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