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Abstract #23909 Published in IGR 11-2
The influence of socioeconomic and clinical factors upon the presenting visual field status of patients with glaucoma
Sukumar S; Spencer F; Fenerty C; Harper R; Henson DEye 2009; 23: 1038-1044
See also comment(s) by Chris Johnson •
PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and the extent of visual field loss in POAG and treated OHT patients at their first presentation to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. METHODS: A cohort of 113 glaucoma patients seen between 1995 and 2005 was reviewed. The clinical parameters intraocular pressure, C : D ratio, family history of glaucoma, visual acuity, extent of visual field loss, and demographic parameters: age, gender, ethnicity, and residential postcode were extracted from hospital records. The socioeconomic status of each patient was estimated from the patient's residential postcode with the ACORN index (group 1: affluent and group 2: socioeconomically deprived). RESULTS: In comparison to group 1 (n=49), patients in group 2 (n=64) presented with more advanced field loss, lower educational attainment (18 vs 98% with no or unknown qualification), and were less aware of glaucoma in the family (27 vs 17%). Patients with a number of systemic health problems had worse vision, more severe visual field loss, and worse clinical attendance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of visual field loss in glaucoma patients at first presentation is related to a combination of clinical and socioeconomic factors including the patient's postcode. This finding could be used to target future case-finding resources.
Eye and Vision Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. sukumar.subash@gmail.com
Classification:
15 Miscellaneous
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)
6.6.2 Automated (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.6 Visual field examination and other visual function tests)
