Abstract:

Abstract Introduction: Glaucoma blindness imposes significant economic burden not only for individuals affected but also it increases healthcare cost, impairs quality of life, increases rehabilitation cost for the blind which all affects the economic growth of a nation. It also results a huge burden for the healthcare system and government’s spending toward health care. Aim and Objective: To find the awareness about glaucoma and the level of knowledge and the various reasons for the lack of its knowledge in patients coming to Ophthalmology Out Patient Department in Tertiary Care Centre in South Bihar Material and Methods: A population-based study, was conducted in the outpatient department of a tertiary medical centre between Oct 2019 and July 2020. All the patients above 20 years of age attending the OPD were chosen randomly and asked “if they have heard about glaucoma” in their local language (Hindi). If yes, a subsequent question was asked to them. The patients who were undergoing treatment for glaucoma were excluded from the study. Results :Out of 800 study subjects only Thirty five (4.4%) participants were aware of the term glaucoma. 17( 48.57%) out of 35 knows that risk of glaucoma increases with age, 8(22.86%) says glaucoma not increases with age, rest10( 28.57%) don’t know the answer. On asking if anyone can have glaucoma, 18 says yes, 9 says No, and rest 8 don’t know. Out of 35, 16(45.71%) knows that glaucoma is preventable, 5( 14.29%) know it wrong, 14 (40%) don’t know. On asking whether treatment of glaucoma possible 13(37.14%) says yes, 11(31.43%) says no, 11 (31.43%) say don’t know. 20 out of 35 study subjects says Vision affected in early age in glaucoma Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma is low among our study subjects. Most common source of information was TV/Radio/Newspaper. An efficient Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategy needed to improve knowledge and awareness. Keywords: IEC, Tertiary Care Centre, Glaucoma.

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