Awareness and Perception of Glaucoma Among Patients Attending Ophthalmology OPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Awareness and Perception of Glaucoma Among Patients Attending Ophthalmology OPD in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Study.

Glaucoma is often called the "silent thief of vision" because it can slowly damage the optic nerve and cause permanent blindness if it is not found and treated early. Many people are not aware of glaucoma, its risk factors, or the importance of regular eye checkups.

This study is being conducted at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of Mardan Medical Complex, a large tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. The aim is to find out how much patients know and understand about glaucoma, and what beliefs or misconceptions they may have.

A total of 379 patients between the ages of 18 and 80 years will be asked to complete a simple questionnaire. The questions cover background information, eye history, knowledge about glaucoma, and attitudes toward screening and treatment. For patients who cannot read, trained staff will help them complete the questionnaire.

The information from this study will help doctors and health policy makers design better educational programs, improve public awareness, and encourage early eye screening. This can reduce the risk of irreversible vision loss caused by glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is often described as the "silent thief of vision." Because it progresses slowly and early symptoms are often missed, many patients only seek medical care after significant vision has already been lost. Lack of awareness and misconceptions about glaucoma are major barriers to early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

This study is designed to measure the awareness and perception of glaucoma among patients attending the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital in Mardan, Pakistan. Using a structured questionnaire, researchers will collect information on four domains:

Sociodemographic details (age, gender, education, occupation, residence, and family history of glaucoma)

Ocular history (previous eye disease, surgery, or diagnosis of glaucoma)

Awareness of glaucoma (understanding of risk factors, symptoms, and treatment)

Perceptions and attitudes (beliefs about curability, reversibility of vision loss, and willingness to undergo screening or learn more).

A total of 379 participants will be included, and assistance will be provided for patients who cannot read or write to ensure accurate responses. Statistical analysis will be used to identify patterns and factors associated with higher or lower awareness levels.

The findings are expected to highlight critical knowledge gaps, common misconceptions, and areas where targeted educational efforts are most needed. By identifying who is most at risk of poor awareness, this study will provide evidence for developing effective public health interventions, awareness campaigns, and screening programs. Ultimately, the results aim to support earlier diagnosis and better management of glaucoma, reducing preventable vision loss in the community.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients between 18 and 80 years of age attending the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department (new or follow-up cases).
• Patients with ocular conditions, including diagnosed glaucoma and other eye pathologies.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with cognitive impairment or mental illness that limits their ability to understand or respond to the questionnaire.
• Patients with ocular malignancy or active ocular bleeding.