Glaucoma awareness in Family Health Centers

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the glaucoma knowledge and awareness in individuals who visit to two Family Health Centers in a district of Istanbul. Patients and Method: This descriptive study, using a three-part questionnaire consisting of 20 questions, was carried out on individuals who applied to two Family Health Centers in a district of Istanbul between May and June 2019. Data from 260 were collected through face to face interviews. Results: A total of 44 (16.9%) participants had heard the word glaucoma before, while 179 (68.8%) said that glaucoma was treatable, 78 (30%) knew about asymptomatic course glaucoma. In addition, 47(18.1%) believed that eyes with glaucoma could not be operated, 152 (58.5%) thought that blindness resulting from glaucoma was reversible. Interestingly, 167(68.7%) participants thought that routine ophthalmologic visits should be done at least once a year, whereas 222 (86.9%) consulted an ophthalmologist less than 10 times in their lifetime. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between individuals with family members that have glaucoma and those that do not, when asked about glaucoma being asymptomatic, the preventability of blindness and whether or not they have heard of glaucoma before. The study findings stress the need to spread awareness about glaucoma for prevention of glaucoma related blindness.