THE REPRESENTATION OF GLAUCOMA IN SHTIP

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between gender and age with the occurrence of glaucoma, by analyzing its incidence in different population groups. Glaucoma represents a heterogeneous group of progressive optic neuropathies, characterized by gradual and irreversible structural damage to the optic nerve head, accompanied by specific and progressively worsening functional impairments in the visual field, which, if left untreated, can lead to significant visual deterioration and permanent blindness. Although it is most commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), this is not a mandatory diagnostic criterion. Glaucoma is considered the leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. Glaucoma is classified into primary forms, which include open angle and angle closure glaucoma, secondary forms that arise from other ocular or systemic pathologies, and congenital forms, which occur due to developmental anomalies in childhood.Glaucoma is typically detected in individuals who experience blurred vision, reduced peripheral visual capacity, and occasional eye pain or headaches. The diagnosis of glaucoma is made through ophthalmological examination, intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy, automated perimetry, and optical coherence tomography. Treatment of glaucoma includes conservative therapy with eye drops and, in more advanced cases, surgical interventions or laser procedures depending on the type and stage of the disease. After conducting research at the Clinical Hospital in Shtip, the obtained data indicate that in 2024, there were a total of 671 patients diagnosed with glaucoma on the territory of Shtip , North Macedonia. According to gender, out of 617 patients, there were total of 292 men (44%) and total of 379 women (56%). According to age, the patients were divided into three groups: patients under 40 years; patients between 40 and 60 years; and patients over 60 years. The first age group under 40 years accounted for 1%, or 5 patients, the second age group of 40 to 60 years accounted 19%, or 128 patients, and the third age group over 60 years accounted for 80%, or 538 patients. Of the total 671 patients diagnosed with glaucoma, 513 (76,5%) had the diagnosis suspected glaucoma; 141 (21%) patients had open angle glaucoma; An additional 17 patients (2.5%) had secondary glaucoma. These findings underline the strong correlation between age and the occurrence of glaucoma, with a clear trend of increasing incidence as age advances. Conversely, analysis by gender did not reveal any statistically significant differences, suggesting that gender is not a dominant risk factor in the development of the disease. The most frequently diagnosed form of glaucoma was suspected glaucoma,followed by primary open angle glaucoma, while secondary forms are significantly less frequent.