GLAUCOMA AWARENESS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE IN NORTH INDIA

BACKGROUND In many parts of India Glaucoma patients present for Ophthalmology check-up when their disease is in advanced stage and at that point of time majority of their vision is already lost. There are many studies addressing awareness about Glaucoma in general population but there is a paucity of literature on awareness in medical students. Keeping this in mind we planned this study to judge knowledge about Glaucoma in medical students of ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad. As these medical students will have huge responsibility of Glaucoma awareness in society and early referral of Glaucoma patients to Ophthalmologist will be possible only if these future doctors are sensitized. Aim and Objectives of the study is to know level of awareness about Glaucoma in medical students (I to V semester) at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study was carried out at ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad from Nov 2017 to Jan 2018. 232 students from I, III and V semester participated in study after complete explanation of study procedure. This study was carried out when Glaucoma teaching was yet to begin for these students. Their Glaucoma knowledge was tested using questionnaire with 20 questions on different aspects of Glaucoma. RESULTS All the students knew Glaucoma as an eye disease. 71.55% students knew that compliance of medication is very important in Glaucoma treatment. 53.45% students did not know that Glaucoma causes peripheral vision loss in early course of disease. 41.38% students did not know that vision loss because of Glaucoma is irreversible. 54.71% students did not know that open angle Glaucoma is often asymptomatic. 45.69% did not know that Glaucoma medications needs to be continued even after intra ocular pressures are controlled. 55.17% students did not know that high myopia is a risk factor for Glaucoma. CONCLUSION Although 100% of medical students heard about Glaucoma, their knowledge regarding basic pathophysiology, treatment principals of Glaucoma were deficient. Many of them did not know common risk factors for Glaucoma. We need to focus on these deficient areas so that in future, society will get better medical professionals who will help in early suspicion and diagnosis of Glaucoma