Assessment of Risk Factors for Primary Open-angle Glaucoma

Abstract

Introduction: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a chronic and progressive anterior optic neuropathy characterized by perimetric alterations and pathological excavation of the optic disc in the absence of other ocular pathologies or congenital anomalies. It is usually accompanied by an increase in intraocular pressure. Gonioscopic examination confirms that the iridocorneal angle is open. The term "risk factor" is defined as a condition statistically leading to an increased risk of occurrence of an event. The purpose of our work is to list the main risk factors of POAG. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out in our ophthalmology department over a period of 4 years between January 2018 and December 2021, involving one hundred patients with POAG followed in glaucoma consultation. Results: These are 100 cases, with an average age of 64.27, with a male predominance. The most found risk factors in our series are: age, intraocular hypertension (IOH), thin cornea, arterial hypertension, diabetes and family history of glaucoma. Conclusion: The identification of the main risk factors of POAG at the individual level is a major data of the management. Knowing these factors helps to monitor patients at risk more carefully and to adjust the treatment more appropriately in patients likely to develop glaucoma or to aggravate already known glaucoma. More efforts are required for early screening and education on POAG in communities, especially in a POAG high-risk population.