Importance of population-based studies in clinical practice

• Main Authors: Ronnie George, Ve Ramesh, Velumuri Lokapavani, Asokan Rashima, Vijaya Lingam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-12-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Blindness; India; population-based study; primary open angle glaucoma; primary angle closure glaucoma; risk factors
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2011;volume=59;issue=7;spage=11;epage=18;aulast=Ronnie
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689

In the last decade, there have been reports on the prevalence of glaucoma from the Vellore Eye Survey, Andhra Pradesh Eye Diseases Survey, Aravind Comprehensive Eye Survey, Chennai Glaucoma Study and West Bengal Glaucoma Study. Population-based studies provide important information regarding the prevalence and risk factors for glaucoma. They also highlight regional differences in the prevalence of various types of glaucoma. It is possible to gather important insights regarding the number of persons affected with glaucoma and the proportion with undiagnosed disease. We reviewed the different population-based studies from India and compare their findings. The lacunae in ophthalmic care that can be inferred from these studies are identified and possible reasons and solutions are discussed. We also discuss the clinical relevance of the various findings, and how it reflects on clinical practice in the country. Since India has a significantly high disease burden, we examine the possibility of population-based screening for disease in the Indian context.