Glaucoma is a common ocular disease which leads to nerve fiber layer (NFL) and optic nerve head (ONH) damage. Consequently, deterioration of the visual field occurs. Due to variation in glaucoma prevalence in various geographical areas, we aimed to design this study to evaluate glaucoma disease in Alzahra eye- hospital in Zahedan city.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Alzahra eye hospital in 2014-2015. We followings were documented during one year period from hospitalized glaucoma patients: prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and acute closed angle glaucoma (ACAG), frequency of POAG and ACAG among sexual and age groups, the relationship of POAG and ACAG with visual acuity (VA) and refraction, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean cup-to-disc ratio (CDR). Medical records of 120 glaucomatous patients admitted for surgical treatment, were evaluated and their demographic data, refraction, IOP, CDR and VA documented in the first ophthalmology visit were retrieved. All data were entered into SPSS (Version 16) and independent sample t-test conducted.

Results showed that among 120 reviewed medical records, POAG was the most common diagnosis and glaucoma was more prevalent in 21-52 age group. The glaucoma was more prevalent in males than in females. Visual acuity in first visit was almost the same in both eyes. Myopia and against the rule astigmatism were the most common refractive errors among study subjects and the mean IOP was slightly greater in right eye compared to the fellow eye. However, mean CDR was comparatively larger in the left eye than the right eye.

In view of the asymptomatic and irreversibly blinding nature of the glaucoma, it is crucial to find at risk patients based on approved diagnostic criteria. We found a high prevalence of the POAG in male myopic subjects which could be attributed to their anterior chamber angle size.