Prevalence of Neovascular Glaucoma in Retinal Diseases in a Tertiary eye care Centre of Bangladesh.

Author(s): Tajmeh Mehtaj, Shams Mohammed Noman, Golam Faruk Hossain, Mohammad Mazharul Islam.

Background: Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe sight-threatening condition resulting from retinal ischemia, leading to neovascularization in the anterior segment of the eye. The burden of retinal diseases is particularly significant in low- and middle-income countries including Bangladesh due to limited access to early screening. Aim: To determine the prevalence of neovascular glaucoma in retinal diseases and assess its associated sociodemographic factors, visual status, and management practices among patients in a tertiary eye care center in Bangladesh. Result: Among 38 respondents with retinal diseases, the prevalence of NVG was 97.4%, primarily linked to diabetic retinopathy 57.9% and central retinal vein occlusion 26.3%. Respondents had a mean age ± SD is 53.32 ± 9.433 years, with nearly equal gender distribution. Visual complaints were dominated by blurred vision, redness, and pain 71.1%. Comorbidities included diabetes 47.5% and hypertension 42.4%. Anterior segment findings highlighted iris neovascularization 78.9%, while posterior findings included hemorrhages 34.2% and macular edema 10.5%. Gonioscopy findings showed open angles in 63.2% and neovascularization in 28.9%. The most frequent intraocular pressure (IOP) reading status for the right eye was 35 mm of Hg, observed in 10.5% of cases, while the left eye had the highest frequency at 20 mm of Hg, occurring in 13.2% of cases. The post-surgical management of IOP in the cohort. A significant proportion, 34.2%, underwent post-surgical IOP monitoring, while 65.8% did not. Similarly, only 15.8% of patients received medications for IOP management post-surgery, indicating that the majority, 84.2%, did not require such intervention. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from October 2022 to November 2024. Patients aged ≥18 years with retinal diseases were included, while those with unrelated glaucoma or incomplete data were excluded. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and detailed ophthalmological evaluations, including gonioscopy and visual acuity assessments. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Findings were presented by frequency and percent table. Conclusion: Neovascular glaucoma is highly prevalent among patients with retinal diseases, particularly those with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion in Bangladesh. Early detection and comprehensive management are crucial to mitigating its impact and preventing blindness in resource-limited settings.