Statistical and clinical aspects of glaucoma in the North of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Introduction: Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions resulting in optic nerve damage, which may cause loss of vision. It is one of the leading causes of blindness. Objectives: To report on statistical and clinical aspects of glaucoma in the North of the Republic of Moldova, never studied before. Materials and methods: A retrospective case series consisting of reviewing the medical notes of 518 patients (921 eyes) diagnosticated with glaucoma in Bălţi Municipal Clinical Hospital P.H.A. covering the period 2009 to 2012. Patiens were divided into 4 groups: 1st- patients with Primary Open - Angle Glaucoma(POAG), 2nd - Primary Angle - Closure Glaucoma(PACG), 3rd Glaucoma Suspect(GS), 4lh- Secondary Glaucoma(SG).t - Student test was used for statistical analysis of the results, if p < 0,05, then Cl = 95%. Results: During the study performed in the North of the Republic of Moldova it was revealed that glaucoma represents 13%±0,58 of all patients with eye diseases. POAG is the most frequent type - 83,3% .The incidence of glaucoma rises with age. Women are at higher risks for PACG and GS. Significant attention should be given to patient’s complaints: vision loss, blindness, periodical blurred vision, eye pain, tearing, photophobia, headache, or no complaints. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy showed: iris atrophy, corneal edema, rubeosis iridis in SG. Largest deviations from normal values at tonometry, visual acuity test and perimetry were detected in the patients with SG. Glaucomatous excavation is frequently seen in POAG eyes. Timolol was the most used medication in monotherapy; combination (Timololum + Pilocarpinum) + Dorzolamidum were often used in combined therapy. Common incisional surgery used in POAG and PCAG is Sinustrabeculectomy + Posterior Sclerotomy. Conclusion: In frame of this study regarding statistical and clinical aspects of glaucoma realised in the North of the Republic of Moldova, the frequency, clinical manifestations and treatment of each type of glaucoma were demonstrated. The study shows a correlation between the obtained data and existing data in our country.