DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i01.030

Pages: 156-159

There is a lack of awareness regarding the need for early presentation to the ophthalmologist to prevent visual disability or blindness. Conditions which are treatable with a good visual outcome with an early presentation and treatment can cause irreversible loss of vision if they are not treated in time. We studied 30 patients in our tertiary eye centre who presented late. The mean age of the patents was 64.13±9.28 years. The female: male ratio was 2:1. Most of the patients had advanced primary glaucoma or secondary glaucoma. 21 (70%) of them were illiterate and 24(80%) of them had a monthly income of <Rs 5,000. The main reasons for presenting late were family issues and a lack of awareness. 22/30 patients were from rural areas. 6(20%) patients were already blind at the time of presentation. Only 12(40%) had a good visual outcome of 6/12-6/6 vision. This highlights the requirement for more outreach programs especially to rural areas and education regarding timely intervention for prevention of blindness.