Consultant in Glaucoma,

Purpose: To assess the percentage of ocular hypertensive patients who progressed to glaucoma,during a period of three years. Design: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Data of patients with ocular hypertension, in a tertiary eye care hospital of Bangalore, between January 2007 to January 2009 were analysed. Family history, medical and treatment history (systemic or ocular) were noted. At presentation visual acuity, refractive status, intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, visual fields, vertical cup disc ratio and central corneal thickness were noted. Follow up period was 36 months. On follow up, necessary examinations were done. Visual fields were repeated as and when deemed necessary. Depending on the risk factors, some patients were started on antiglaucoma and the rest were kept under observation. Patients who developed glaucoma at the end of 36 months in each group were noted. Results: Total patients were 24, 12 males and 12 females. Mean age was 57.83 years. 6 were started on antiglaucoma medications due to various risk factors and the rest were kept under observation. 1 patient (17%) in the treatment group and 2 (11 % ) in the observation group developed glaucoma eventually. There was no significant difference in the number of patients developing glaucoma in both the groups[ p=0.100]. Conclusion: The decision to treat ocular hypertension should depend upon many factors which should be judiciously analysed and then the treatment should be started by the ophthalmologist