Chronic Open Angle Glaucoma and Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma: Comparison of Demographic Profile

PM Khu, L Tinio, CJ Chua, C Canta
Institute of Ophthalmology, University of the Philippines,
Eye Referral Center, Manila, The Philippines

Purpose: Chronic open angle glaucoma and chronic angle closure glaucoma are frequently encountered in Southeast Asia. Given the frequency of these types of glaucoma, a demographic profile comparing chronic open angle glaucoma with chronic angle closure glaucoma has been performed in The Philippines.

Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the charts of 138 glaucoma patients seen at 2 clinics in Manila. Data were abstracted based on a standardised data collection form.

Results: The age distribution was similar for chronic open angle glaucoma and chronic angle closure glaucoma. More men had chronic open angle glaucoma, while more women had chronic angle closure glaucoma. There was a slightly higher family history of the disease among patients with chronic open angle glaucoma. There was a tendency towards more severe loss of visual acuity and visual fields among patients with chronic angle closure glaucoma. In general, intraocular pressures were higher among patients

with chronic angle closure glaucoma. Patients with chronic angle closure glaucoma tended to use more medications than patients with chronic open angle glaucoma, with each patient using an average of 3 drugs.

Conclusion: Patients with closed angles had higher intraocular pressures that necessitated more glaucoma medications and more interventional procedures.

Asian J Ophthalmol 2001;3(3,4):10-14.