Author(s)

Christelle Domngang^1*, Fabiola Makamwe Tagne¹, Leonard Tedong¹, Chantal Ngoune Nanfack², Caroline Mvilongo², Giles Kagmeni²

¹Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon.
²Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), at 4.2%. The efficacy of medical treatment has been demonstrated and remains one of the treatments of choice for POAG. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, its effectiveness has many challenges, due to multiple factors, including cost and access to care. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutive profile of primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in two hospitals in western Cameroon. Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary data on intraocular pressure at one year after medical treatment were analyzed. SPSS version 23 software was used for statistical analysis, with a significant p-value set at 5%. Results: A total of 201 patients with POAG were included in the study. The population comprised 100 men and 101 women, with a mean age of 54 ± 12 years. At diagnosis, the mean intraocular pressure was 23.9 ± 8.70 mmHg for the right eye and 25.5 ± 9.57 mmHg for the left eye. The mean cup/disc ratio was 0.64 ± 0.2 [0.2-1] and 0.67 ± 0.19 [02-1] in the right and left eyes, respectively. Monotherapy was the most prescribed treatment [59.2%]. After one year of treatment, intraocular pressure was reduced by 15.5% with beta-blockers, 23.66% with prostaglandins, 19.11% with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, 35, 92% with beta-blockers and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, 25.92% with beta-blockers and prostaglandins, 48.03% with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and prostaglandin agonists, and 38.77% with triple therapy. Taking glaucoma severity into account, a significant reduction in intraocular pressure at one year was observed in all participants [p < 0.05]. However, the target pressure was obtained in 47%, 20% and 14% of eyes suffering of mild, moderate, and severe grade of POAG respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, there was a significant reduction in intraocular pressure after one year of medical treatment. However, the reduction in intraocular pressure does not allow the target pressure to be reached in severe forms. Thus, alternatives to the medical treatment of POAG should be discussed early in the present context.

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, Medical Treatment, Intraocular Pressure, Target Intraocular Pressure

Domngang, C. , Makamwe Tagne, F. , Tedong, L. , Ngoune Nanfack, C. , Mvilongo, C. and Kagmeni, G. (2024) Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic and Evolutive Profile of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in a Cameroonian Population. Open Journal of Ophthalmology, 14, 93-102. doi: 10.4236/ojoph.2024.142009.