ABSTRACT
Background: Assessment of optic disc size is an important component of optic nerve head examination which is often overlooked in the diagnostic evaluation for glaucoma. Measured values of optic disc size vary with the measurement technique utilized. The actual disc size varies with race and possibly other demographic characteristics. Disc size is also associated with variation of specific anatomical structures of the optic nerve head and the retinal nerve fiber layer. These disc size-dependent variations are risk factors for glaucoma or affect the likelihood of glaucoma diagnosis [1]. Aim: To report the clinical (measured by biomicroscopy) disc diameters of small, average and large optic discs and produce data on the disc sizes of Nigerian patients who have been diagnosed with glaucoma and are currently undergoing treatment. Materials and Methods: One hundred eyes of 100 glaucoma subjects were studied. Disc diameter was measured using stereo biomicroscopy (78 D). Discs were classified into small (<1.3 mm2), average (1.3-1.75 mm2) and large (>1.75 mm2) using the European Glaucoma Society Guidelines [2,3]. The relationship between disc size and age, sex and type of Glaucoma was also assessed. Results: One hundred eyes of 100 individuals were studied comprising 64 (64.0%) males and 36 (36.0%) females. Age range was 20- 80 years with a mean age of 50±13.66. Mean disc size was 1.99±0.239. Eighty-two percent of discs were large size (>1.75 mm2). Males (61%) had larger discs than females (21%) (p=0.001). There was no correlation between disc size and age (p=0.87) or clinical types of glaucoma (p=0.59). Conclusion: Majority had large optic discs in our study (82%). Large discs have large cup: Disc ratio. These differences must be considered while evaluating the optic disc to prevent over diagnosis of glaucoma and its attendant economic burden on the patient.
ABSTRACT
Background: There are conflicting reports regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intraocular pressure (IOP). There is a need to evaluate these contradicting findings in our environment. Aim: To examine the relationship between intraocular pressure and body mass index (BMI) in a population screened for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria Materials and Method: This study was part of a one-day screening exercise for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt. All subjects participated with willful consent. Demographic data included age, sex, race and occupation. Height was measured with a wall-mounted tape and weight with a bathroom scale. Intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins hand-held applanation tonometer and funduscopy was carried out with a direct ophthalmoscope. BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (Weight/Height2). Results: A total of 491 subjects were screened. There were 230 males (46.8%) and 261 females (53.2%). About 50% (n=246/491) of the participants had normal BMI, 28.7%(n=141) were overweight while 17.7%(n=87) were obese. The mean BMI was 25.39 ± 4.82. Most obese participants were females (n= 63/87; 72.4%) while most males had normal body weight (n=131; 53.2%). The relationship between BMI and gender was statistically significant (P=0.00). The mean intraocular pressure of all participants was 16.21±5.01mmHg. Most overweight (88.6%; n=241/272) and obese persons (n=149; 87.6%) had normal IOP. There was however no statistically significant relationship between BMI and IOP (P=0.473; r2 =0.02). Conclusion: In a population screened for glaucoma at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, we found no statistically significant relationship between BMI and intraocular pressure but there was a statistically significant relationship between BMI and age.