AIM: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the MCO on the management of glaucoma patients in a suburban tertiary hospital.
METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 194 glaucoma patients between June 2020 and August 2020 in the glaucoma clinic at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. We evaluated the patients' treatment, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, and potential signs of progression. We compared the results with those of their last clinic visits prior to the MCO.
RESULTS: We studied 94 (48.5%) male and 100 (51.5%) female glaucoma patients with a mean age of 65 ± 13.7. The mean duration between pre-MCO and post-MCO follow-up was 26.4 ± 6.7 weeks. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with deterioration of visual acuity, and one patient lost his vision after the MCO. There was also a significant elevation of the mean IOP of the right eye: pre-MCO, 16.7 ± 7.8 mmHg, compared to post-MCO, 17.7 ± 8.8 mmHg (p = 0.027). The cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) for the right eye increased significantly from pre-MCO, 0.72 ± 0.18, to 0.74 ± 0.19 post-MCO (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant changes in IOP or CDR in the left eye. Twenty-four patients (12.4%) missed medications during the MCO period, and 35 patients (18%) required additional topical medications due to the progression of the disease. Only one patient (0.5%) required admission due to uncontrolled IOP.
CONCLUSION: Lockdown, as a preventive step in the COVID-19 pandemic, indirectly caused the progression of glaucoma and uncontrolled IOP.
METHODS: A randomised controlled trial in a parallel, single-blinded study involving 60 OAG patients was conducted. The patients were randomised into FCDT or NFDT based on a block randomisation technique. A pre-study run-in with Gutt timolol was administered for two weeks. IOP was assessed at baseline, month 1 and month 3, with a bottle weight measurement at month 3.
RESULTS: Only 55 OAG patients were analysed, with 8.4% dropping out. A statistically significant mean IOP reduction was observed in each group from baseline to month 1 (FCDT: mean difference [MD] = 4.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.00, 5.86); NFDT: MD = 4.92, 95% CI = 4.024, 5.82) and from baseline to month 3 (FCDT: MD 5.17, 95% CI = 4.19, 6.15; NFDT: MD = 4.85, 95% CI = 3.874, 5.82). The overall FCDT mean IOP was significantly lower by 1.02 mmHg (95% CI = -2.01, -0.02) than NFDT (F(1, 53) = 4.19; P = 0.046). A significant interaction was observed between time and treatment at month 3, with the mean IOP for FCDT being lower by 1.22 mg than for NFDT (P = 0.037). The mean adherence score was significantly higher in the FCDT group than in the NFDT group (t stat (df) = 3.88 (53); P < 0.001). The reduction in IOP between the groups became non-significant after adherence was adjusted (F(1, 52) = 2.45; P = 0.124).
CONCLUSION: Both drugs showed a decrease in IOP but more so in FCDT. However, no difference was found in terms of medication adherence. An emphasis on treatment compliance is needed.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 primary angle closure glaucoma patients between April 2014 and August 2016. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the physical activity status was assessed and divided into three categories: mild, moderate and heavy physical activity. The duration of physical activity and corresponding minimum energy requirements were calculated. Ocular examination was performed including Humphrey visual field 24-2 analysis assessment. Based on two consecutive reliable Humphrey visual fields, the severity of glaucoma was scored according to modified Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study and classified as mild (0-5), moderate (6-11) and severe (12-20). Association between physical activity and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study score was determined with multiple linear regression analysis.
Results: A total of 150 Malay patients with primary angle closure glaucoma were included (50 patients with mild, 50 with moderate and 50 with severe glaucoma). Physical activity showed inverse association with the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma. After calculating adjustments for age, sex, duration of glaucoma, body mass index, systemic co-morbidities, family history of glaucoma, myopia and educational status [adjusted b -3.41, 95% confidence interval (-5.23, -1.59), p