Perception and Practice of Undergoing Glaucoma Screening among Ophthalmologists

Background: Globally, glaucoma remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Early detection and treatment is mainstay of prevention of blindness from glaucoma. Purpose: This study was done to assess the perception and glaucoma screening practice of ophthalmologist in Nigeria. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to all the ophthalmologists who attended the general plenary session of the 2013 annual conference of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN). Result: Of the 115 respondents, 63 (54.8%) were females; mean age was 39.7 ± 9.3 years. Majority 69 (60.0%) were less than 40 years old. Presence of systemic risk factors to glaucoma was reported by 19 (16.5%), out of which 9 (47.4%) were hypertension, 2 (10.5%) were Diabetes Mellitus, 2 (10.5%) were other cardiovascular diseases, and 6 were unspecified others. Among the respondents, 28 (24.3%) had positive family history; 29 (25.2%) had Myopia; and 3 (2.6%) were known glaucoma patients already on treatment. Majority 91 (79.1%) had positive attitude towards glaucoma screening. Although 98 (85.2%) have ever had a full eye examination, only 56 (48.7%) were routine. There was no statistically significant relationship between sex, age group, religion, positive family history, professional status, attitude and glaucoma screening. Conclusion: The attitude of Nigerian Ophthalmologists to glaucoma screening was high but actual screening practice was below expectation in view of their presumed high knowledge of the risk of blindness from glaucoma. In-house campaign aimed at promoting self-glaucoma screening among this high-cadre eye care providers is warranted.