Screening of Normal Tension Glaucoma (NTG) Above 40 yrs Old Attending to Ophthalmology OPD-A Hospital Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the world and also in India. Because of the relatively asymptomatic initial phase of the disease, it is often detected by chance and is frequently associated with extensive and irreversible damage at the time of diagnosis.

Method: In this prospective study which is hospital-based study was conducted in the outpatient of the Ophthalmology Department in a Private medical college between January 2023 and December 2023. A total of 400 screenings were done in that 50 patients (100 eyes) of established Normal tension glaucoma after complete evaluation. Informed consent was taken from each patient. The collected data was entered in Microsoft Excel. Coding of the variables was done. Analysis was done using SPSS software (Version 27, IBM). Descriptive statistics was used. Association between categorical tests. The outcomes of the treatment groups were compared using a test to reach the hypothesis, a P value less than 0.5 was considered significant.

Results: The prevalence of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in a sample of 50 patients (12.5%) and 100 eyes (25%).  Of total 50 patients, The largest age group is 41–50 years, with 19 individuals representing 38% of the sample. Among the study participants 21(42%) were females and 29(58%) were males. There are 24 eyes with a visual acuity of 6/60, and 30 eyes with a visual acuity of 6/36, reflecting varying degrees of visual impairmentThe sample is categorized based on four variables: ocular surgery, trauma, history of steroid intake ad so such history. 15 have diabetes mellitus, 13 hypertension, 6 have both diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Conclusion: We concluded that the findings of this study highlight the importance of further research in the field of normal tension glaucoma to improve our understanding of its underlying importance.