Abstract:

Purpose: Glaucoma is the leading cause of global irreversible blindness (1). Although blacks appear to be at higher risk for blindness glaucoma, there is little information available on the epidemiology of this disease in this population (2). And it’s because there tends to be a lower reporting of glaucoma in Africa compared to other blinding conditions in global burden data (3). Thus this research will help to assess the prevalence of glaucoma and its associated risk factors in patients attending ophthalmology clinic at Bugando medical centre (BMC) and thus giving a clue to the burden of glaucoma in Tanzania and Africa in general.

Methodology: A prospective cohort study was done involving patients attending ophthalmology clinic at Bugando medical centre selected through judgment (purposive) sampling. All participants underwent eye exam. They had visual field evaluation, and their intraocular pressure (IOP) measured and recorded the results were analysed by computer installed with SPSS program then thereafter the results to be distributed at ophthalmology department, school of public health and the library.

Results: The study has highlighted the burden of glaucoma in Tanzania particularly in the Lake zone due to the number of patients newly diagnosed and those known to have glaucoma attending eye clinic at BMC, 5-10 patients were attended on daily bases out of 50-70 patients attending eye clinic thus glaucoma making 7-10% of the attendees. In this study increased intra-ocular pressure was a major risk factor associated with glaucoma followed by myopia. Also the study was compounded by poor awareness and low knowledge about glaucoma as many could not establish whether there in family history of glaucoma or not.

Conclusion: Glaucoma care needs to be given high priority in Tanzania health programs. Many questions regarding glaucoma remain unanswered and thus there is a need for further researches. Genetic and genome wide association studies may aid in identification of high risk groups and thus screening and early management.

Recommendations: Social sciences and qualitative studies, health systems should research to enhance public approaches for the prevention of blindness due to glaucoma.