F. K. IDU

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and early detection is vital in preventing vision loss. Knowledge, attitude, and perception toward glaucoma influence early diagnosis and management. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of glaucoma among students of the University of Benin. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 800 undergraduate students selected through stratified random sampling across 16 faculties. Participants comprised 432 males (54%) and 368 females (46%), aged 16–31 years (mean age 22.3 ± 2.7 years). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS version 25 using descriptive and Chi-square statistics at p < 0.05. Results showed that 97.8% of respondents were aware of glaucoma, mainly through the internet (48.8%). However, only 26.8% demonstrated good knowledge, while 37.9% and 35.4% had fair and poor knowledge, respectively. Faculty of study significantly influenced knowledge, perception, and screening attitude (p < 0.001), while gender and age did not. Although 80.2% of respondents showed positive treatment attitudes, 48.4% had never undergone an eye examination. Most students (81.8%) recognized glaucoma’s hereditary risk, and 69.0% prioritized blindness prevention as an urgent health concern. the study found high awareness but limited depth of knowledge and low engagement in preventive eye care. Faculty of study played a key role in shaping awareness and behaviour. Targeted university-based interventions are recommended to enhance glaucoma literacy, promote regular eye screening, and reduce the risk of glaucoma-related blindness among young adults.

Diabetes mellitus has been increasingly linked with ocular complications, particularly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a key risk factor for glaucoma. Understanding the relationship between blood sugar level and Intraocular pressure is critical for early detection and prevention of vision-threatening conditions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels and intraocular pressure and assess the influence of age and gender on these parameters among adults in Benin City, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults aged 41–80 years with the mean age (61.5 years) attending St. Teresa Specialist and Laser Eye Center, Benin City. Fasting blood sugar was measured using a glucometer, and intraocular pressure was assessed using an iCare tonometer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, applying t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between fasting blood sugar and intraocular pressure (r = 0.658, p = 0.01). Males exhibited higher mean IOP (17.44 mmHg) than females (15.49 mmHg; p = 0.047), while older age groups (61–80 years) showed significantly higher FBS (126.84 mg/dl) and IOP (18.72 mmHg) values compared to younger participants (p < 0.05). It is concluded from this study that elevated fasting blood sugar is significantly associated with increased intraocular pressure, with age and gender acting as modifying factors. Routine IOP screening is recommended for individuals with elevated blood glucose, regardless of diabetic status.