Abstract
Purpose :
There remains a dearth of clinical, genetic, and epidemiologic data from diverse, non-white populations despite many international glaucoma studies. We recognize the advantages to and value of increasing research study representation from diverse populations and, in collaboration with the Ophthalmology Clinic at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in Jamaica, West Indies, we evaluated the capacity for research partnership and conducted a preliminary research study.
Methods :
Upon establishing a working protocol for a preliminary research study, we analyzed comprehensive ocular records of glaucoma patients treated at KPH from January 1, 2018, to March 1, 2023. Paper chart review included both eyes (when accessible) of patients ≥18 years old, and collected data included patient demographics, medical and social histories, dates and reasons for initial referral, subsequent appointment dates, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratios, eye trauma details, and additional ophthalmic diagnoses. Glaucoma was confirmed on optical coherence tomography (OCT) by glaucoma specialist.
Results :
In this retrospective analysis of 324 patients (Mean Age [SD] = 58.21 years [12.31], 66.0% female), 626 eyes were reviewed; mean intraocular pressure of both eyes at the first exam was measured at 21.12 mmHg (Non-contact Tonometer) and 23.24 mmHg (Goldmann Applanation Tonometer). The average mean deviation was -10.38 dB, with a Visual Field Index of 72.74% and a Pattern Standard Deviation of 4.55 dB. 51.9% had advanced glaucoma, 8.6% had moderate glaucoma, 18.8% had early glaucoma, and 20.7% were glaucoma suspects. Other reported ocular issues included eye trauma (26.5%), cataracts (74.4%), and surgery (12.03%). Eye drop compliance was 17.3%. Family history of glaucoma was reported by 30.9%. Other reported health data included hypertension (62.7%), diabetes (type unspecified; 34.3%), smoking (13.3%), and alcohol use (15.4%).
Conclusions :
We established a foundational study of clinical and demographic attributes of 324 glaucoma patients at Jamaica's primary public eye clinic. This study provides valuable insights into the clinical presentation of glaucoma in Jamaica and informs how we will approach future research in this population to increase the representation of data from African-descent groups in ophthalmologic databases and epidemiologic studies.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.