Outcome of glaucoma surgery at Mombasa Light House for Christ Eye Centre-intra-ocular pressure control

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate the outcome of glaucoma surgeries in a centre for eye care in Kenya. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: The study was conducted at Mombasa Light House for Christ Eye Centre- Kenya. Subjects: All patients diagnosed to have glaucoma and managed by surgery between 2004-2007. Materials and methods: Records from 2004 to 2007 were retrieved and data collected on the surgeries done using a structured questionnaire. 2008 was left for follow up to avail a one year minimum follow up time. Analysis was done using SPSS version 13. Results: Two hundred and sixty five operations were recorded in this period. Two hundred and thirteen were retrieved and the outcomes analysed. There was good intra ocular pressure control over the follow up period with a gradual rise post operation, though the pressures remained within normal. Most of the patients were controlled with no need for medications, or much less medication use. The average intra ocular pressure at two year follow up was 15.0mmHg against a baseline of 28.7mmHg (p< 0.001). Twenty nine eyes (13.6%) required medication for intra ocular pressure control. One type of medication was able to control the pressures post operatively. Surgery reduced topical antiglaucoma medication use by 72%. Conclusion: Intra-ocular pressure was well controlled surgically for the two year follow up. Recomendations: Surgical intervention can be taken as a first option for glaucoma control in our set up, especially as most of our patients present late.