Prevalence of Glaucoma Patients Who Underwent Cataract Surgery by Phacoemulsification technique in Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma is the major related cause of blindness in Thailand and worldwide. The prevalence of glaucoma was 3.54% worldwide and 3.80% in Thailand. Untreated glaucoma can result in vision loss and even blindness. There was no prevalence data of glaucoma patients in Chiangrai, Thailand. This study interested glaucoma patients who underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification technique. This population was selected because this group includes the elderly people, which is a risk factor for glaucoma and the cataract surgery can facilitate glaucoma diagnosis.

Objective To determine the prevalence of glaucoma and type of glaucoma in Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery patients in Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital

Methods This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The range of participants’ age was between 41 and 90 years old who underwent Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery in Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital from 1^st October 2020 to 30^th September 2021. We use intraocular pressure (IOP) and cup-to-disc ratio (C:D ratio) as criteria to diagnose and classify types of glaucoma by ophthalmologists. Moreover, the ophthalmologist will advise and treat the patients diagnosed with glaucoma.

Results There were 1,562 participants included in the study. 228 of them were diagnosed of glaucoma (14.60%). The most type of glaucoma was normal-tension glaucoma (NTG: 8.90%).

Conclusions and recommendations Prevalence of glaucoma patient who underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification technique in Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital was 14.60% and mostly were normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The prevalence of glaucoma in Chiangrai  was higher than the average prevalence of Glaucoma in Thailand and previous studies. Thus, we recommend an efficient screening program in Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for early detection.