Detecting Glaucoma in Rural Kenya: Results From a Teleglaucoma Pilot Project in Nyamira, Kenya.

PRECIS: A teleglaucoma (TG) case-finding model was used in Kenya. Of the patients, 3.46% had definite glaucoma and 4.12% were glaucoma suspects. Most cases were of moderate to advanced stage and referred for further assessment. PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate glaucoma prevalence in a high-risk population using a TG model. METHODS: Patients aged 35 or over were referred to the TG program from the outpatient diabetic and hypertensive clinics at Nyamira District Hospital (NDH) and from community awareness programs. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination included structured history, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, stereoptic nerve, and macular images. A glaucoma specialist provided diagnosis and management recommendation through virtual consultation. Glaucoma diagnosis and staging were based on at least 1 eye meeting the optic nerve criteria as specified by the Canadian glaucoma guidelines. RESULTS: In all, 1206 participants were seen and 19 of these could not complete the examination. Of 1187 patients, 56% were women and the mean age was 56.60±12.36 years. Of the patients, 11.8% had images that were ungradable in at least 1 eye. The prevalence of glaucoma and glaucoma suspects was 3.46% (n=42) and 4.12% (n=50), respectively. The proportion of patients with early, moderate, advanced, and absolute glaucoma was 2.4%, 33.3%, 52.4%, and 2.4%, respectively. Other diagnoses (pathology in at least 1 eye) included cataract in 13.2%, diabetic retinopathy in 1.48%, and optic atrophy in 1.98%. Of the patients, 28.2% were referred to the Innovation Eye Centre, Kisii, for further assessment. CONCLUSION: A structured TG program detected glaucoma in 3.46% of a rural Kenyan population. Timely patient referral was also initiated.

Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery: Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation versus Trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) versus trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (trab) in combination with cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the 6-month results of patients undergoing phacoemulsification (phaco) with either ECP or trab. The primary outcome was mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at 6 months; secondary outcomes were change in glaucoma medications, visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, and postoperative complications. Complete success was a target IOP of <21 mmHg and >6 mmHg without glaucoma medications. Qualified success was target IOP achieved through glaucoma medications. RESULTS: We evaluated 53 eyes of 53 patients; 24 (45.3%) eyes were treated with ECP-phaco and 29 (54.7%) with trab-phaco. At 6 months, there was no significant difference in mean IOP of the two groups (ECP-phaco 14.2 ± 3.6 mmHg; trab-phaco 13.0 ± 2.5 mmHg; P = 0.240). Six (25.0%) ECP-phaco eyes and 20 (69.0%) trab-phaco eyes achieved complete success (P = 0.002). Qualified success was achieved in 18 (75.0%) ECP-phaco eyes and 9 (31.0%) trab-phaco eyes (P = 0.002). The mean reduction of medication from baseline was significant (ECP-phaco 1.2 ± 1.1; trab-phaco 2.1 ± 1.5; P = 0.020). ECP-phaco resulted in more IOP spikes on the 1st postoperative day (P = 0.040) and more anterior cellular reaction at 1 week and 1 month compared to trab-phaco (P < 0.05). The rate of postoperative complications was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: At 6 months, ECP-phaco demonstrated similar improvements in IOP and visual acuity compared to trab-phaco. However, ECP-phaco patients had higher incidences of immediate postoperative IOP spikes and anterior chamber inflammation as well as requiring additional medications postoperatively.