Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among undergraduate medical students: Can we expect greater glaucoma referrals in the future
Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Ophthalmology - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness is called the sneak thief of sight. This study was planned with the objective of assessing the level of awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among medical students. Materials and Methods: Institutional Ethics Committee Clearance was obtained and a descriptive semi-structured-questionnaire-based study was conducted. The questionnaire comprised of 14 questions to gather information about the awareness and knowledge of glaucoma. Informed written consent was taken from 200 undergraduate medical students and the questionnaire was administered. Data was analysed using Microsoft excel and descriptive statistics. Results: The students had good knowledge about the definition (63%), risk factors (80%) and medical (70%) and surgical (64%) treatment of glaucoma. However, knowledge regarding blindness due to glaucoma and laser therapy in glaucoma was poor. Teaching faculty (89%) and internet (68%) were the major sources of information. Conclusion: Our study showed a good overall awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among undergraduate medical students. This may suggest greater referrals of patients at risk of glaucoma from these future medical practitioners which can increase the rate of glaucoma detection. Periodic assessment of awareness, knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards important ocular diseases would provide a feedback about the adequacies of current curriculum and teaching learning methods in use.
Authors and Affiliations
Anitha S Maiya, Ravindra B, Manjunath B H, Meghana Patil
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP259929
- DOI -
- Views 94
- Downloads 0
A study of the clinical manifestations of closed head injuries and their correlation with Glasgow coma scale scores
Objectives: To study the ocular manifestations of closed head injuries and their correlation with Glasgow coma scale, the demographic profile of head injuries and the neurological lesions associated with head injury. Mat...
Clinical and microbiological study of bacterial keratitis among patients attending tertiary care hospital
Background: Infectious or microbial keratitis can be caused by a wide spectrum of organisms, including a huge variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. Bacterial keratitis is a potentially devastating corneal in...
Comparative study of axial length measurement using B scan and A scan biometry in intra ocular lens power calculation
Abstract Background: Intra Ocular Lens power calculation are done preoperatively using different formulas like SRK-1, SRK-2, SRK-T, Holladay, Hoffer- Q, Haigis. They need Eye’s Axial Length (L)2, Corneal power (K)5, Esti...
Natamycin treatment outcome in keratomycosis patients
In this study, 50 fungal isolates from 50 patients with fungal keratitis were tested in vitro for their susceptibility to natamycin and the mean minimum inhibitory concentrations of natamycin (MICn) were correlated with...
The prevalence and systemic associations of sixth nerve palsy
Aim: To evaluate prevalence and systemic association of sixth nerve palsy. Methods: It was an observational, prospective study. All the patients who came to our tertiary eye care center with lateral rectus palsy or pares...