Visual field-based grading of disease severity in newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in India

Purpose To evaluate the severity of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) at presentation using visual field analysis and its relationship to demographic and ocular factors in patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Newly diagnosed POAG patients were classified as early, moderate, or severe stage in the worse eye based on the Humphrey visual field testing using Hodapp–Parrish–Andersons criteria. The groups were compared for differences in demographics and ocular characteristics. Statistical analysis was done using STATA 14.1 (Texas, USA). Results The average age of 71 eligible patients was 60.04 ± 9.53 years, and the cohort had 29.5% females. Among the subjects, 19 (26.7%) had early, 24 (33.3%) had moderate and 28 (38.89%) had severe POAG at presentation. There was no statistically significant difference among different stages of glaucoma with respect to age and sex groups. No statistical association was found with education, occupation status, presenting complaints, family history of glaucoma, or systemic diseases between the different stages of severity. 5.6% with severe disease presented with a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in the severe stage was 22.54 ± 5.27 mmHg, which was not statistically higher than the other groups ( P = 0.726). Conclusions Newly diagnosed POAG patients predominantly present at moderate or severe stage of disease, reflecting either the asymptomatic nature of the disease or a lack of access to vision care services. Existing screening programmes need to be improved, with special attention to women and individuals less than 50 years of age.