Prevalence of glaucoma types and legal blindness from glaucoma in the western region of Saudi Arabia: a hospital-based study

Abstract

To determine prevalence of glaucoma subtypes and legal blindness in patients on their first visit to an ophthalmic center in the western region of Saudi Arabia a chart review analysis was carried out of new patients in 2006 with glaucoma diagnosis in our Glaucoma Unit. Diagnosis was confirmed clinically and by glaucoma workup. The main outcome was prevalence of glaucoma types and legal blindness from glaucoma. Of 2,354 new patients in 2006, 417 were glaucomatous. Mean age was 56.4 years and mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 26.5 mmHg; 54.4% had prior glaucoma diagnosis. Prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma was 30.5%, primary angle-closure 24.7%, neovascular 7.6%, surgically induced 6.5%, and exfoliative 5.2%. One-third of patients were unilaterally legally blind, whereas 11.3% were bilateral. Primary glaucoma represents two-thirds of glaucoma cases in Saudi Arabia. Approximately one-half of patients were legally blind in at least one eye at time of presentation.