Background: Of the glaucoma types primary open angle glaucoma is the most common type. People of Asian origin are more likely to have glaucoma when compared to those of African or European origin. In the last 10 to 15 years many population based studies have been conducted to understand the prevalence of glaucoma in the community. Aims: To understand the prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma among the patients attending our tertiary care center and correlation the disc cup ratio with the change in intra-ocular pressure. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the department of ophthalmology in Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore from the period of 2010 to 2012. Detailed clinical history and evaluation was done for all the patients and noted in the case record form. Intra-ocular pressure was measured by Goldmann Applanation Tonometry. Gonioscopy was done by Goldmann Three-mirror gonioscope. Statistical Analysis: All the qualitative data was expressed in percentages and quantative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation. Results and Conclusions: The mean age of the sample was 52.15 ± 3.45 years with male preponderance. The most common symptom was headache and diminished vision in the present study. The prevalence of the primary open angle glaucoma increased as the intra-ocular pressure increased. Disc cupping increased proportionately with increase in intra-ocular pressure, thus establishing progression of glaucoma with rise in IOP.

Keywords: POAG; Field defects; IOP; Disc: Cup ratio.