ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study is to present the socioeconomic aspects of the management of primary open angle glaucoma in Benin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a multicentric descriptive, record review from January 1st, 2011 to June 30th, 2013 and prospective from May 1st to July 31st, 2013. It included patients over 15 years of age, and treated for a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma during the study period. RESULTS: Of 15,592 patients, 227 were diagnosed with glaucoma, for a 1.5% hospital prevalence with male predominance (64%). Medical treatment was the rule, with an average duration of 7.4 ± 7.4 months. A total of 10.6% of the patients were followed regularly. The average monthly cost of medications was 17.8 ± 10.8 euros. That of the consultations and diagnostic tests was an average of 79.5 ± 59.9 euros. The average cost of transportation to each visit was 1.6 euros. Stable glaucoma was more costly. A total of 17.6% of the patients were accompanied to visits for which the waiting time was always longer than one hour. The monthly average income of the patients was 187.7 euros. Loss of income associated with waiting was not evaluated. A total of 72.7% of the patients were self-insured, corresponding to 58.3% of their average monthly income. DISCUSSION: Patients cannot logically afford their medication. Practitioners should rely more on lower-cost surgical treatments.
