ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe the socioeconomic profile, awareness level and reasons for the delay in accessing timely eye care for cataract surgery in patients of lens-induced glaucoma (LIG).

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study included all patients with LIG who presented to a tertiary eye care centre in central rural India between March 2019 to February 2020. Data were collected through a questionnaire.

Results

Out of the 731 patients included in the study, the majority were females (69.36%). The mean age of the patients at presentation was 62.66 ± 10.37 years. Only a few participants, 193 (26.40%) were aware of LIG. Lower socioeconomic profile, older age, female gender and illiteracy were found to be strongly associated with awareness about LIG (p < .001). Patients waiting for the winter season (58.27%) to get operated was the major reason for delayed presentation to the hospital. Other reasons for the delayed presentation were – need not felt (feeling that intervention was not necessary) due to good vision in other eye (14.36%), financial issues (11.63%), long travelling distance (7.11%), no caretaker (6.89%), medical illness (1.78%) and fear of surgery (0.55%).

Conclusion

Delayed reporting for eye healthcare in patients of LIG is found to be multifactorial. Most patients preferred waiting for the winter season to get their eyes operated, which throws light on the mindset and ignorance of the patients in this part of central rural India. We further emphasize on strengthening the education and counseling efforts in the community to enable patients to access services in a timely fashion.

中文翻译：

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晶状体诱发性青光眼患者白内障手术延迟就诊的原因——印度中部农村三级眼科保健中心基于问卷调查的研究

摘要

目的

描述晶状体诱发性青光眼 (LIG) 患者的社会经济概况、意识水平和延误及时接受白内障手术眼保健的原因。

方法

这项横断面观察性研究纳入了 2019 年 3 月至 2020 年 2 月期间到印度中部农村一家三级眼科护理中心就诊的所有 LIG 患者。数据是通过问卷收集的。

结果

在纳入研究的 731 名患者中，大多数为女性 (69.36%)。就诊时患者的平均年龄为 62.66 ± 10.37 岁。只有少数参与者，193 人 (26.40%) 知道 LIG。较低的社会经济状况、年龄较大、女性和文盲被发现与 LIG 意识密切相关 ( p < .001)。等待冬季手术的患者（58.27%）是延迟就诊的主要原因。延迟就诊的其他原因是 – 由于另一只眼睛的视力良好 (14.36%)、财务问题 (11.63%)、长途旅行 (7.11%)、没有看护人 (6.89)，因此不需要感觉（感觉不需要干预） %)、内科疾病 (1.78%) 和害怕手术 (0.55%)。

结论

发现 LIG 患者的眼保健延迟报告是多因素的。大多数患者更愿意等待冬季进行眼部手术，这揭示了印度中部农村地区患者的心态和无知。我们进一步强调加强社区的教育和辅导工作，使患者能够及时获得服务。