BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve, often associated with increased intraocular pressure. Untreated damage from glaucoma can cause irreversible vision loss, making it one of the leading global causes of blindness. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of visual impairment and associated factors in adult glaucoma patients.

METHODS: An institutional cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 423 glaucoma patients selected by systematic random sampling from May 15 to June 30, 2022, at the University Gondar, Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center. Data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and a review of medical records. Descriptive statistics were summarized by frequency, percentage, and summary statistics. Binary logistic regression was performed, and variables with a P value <0.05 in the multivariable model were considered significantly associated.

RESULTS: This study found visual impairment in 77.6% (95% CI: 74.2%–82.9%) of adult participants with glaucoma. Female gender (AOR=2.45, 95% CI=1.18–3.48), rural residence (AOR=2.45, 95% CI=1.91-3.33), primary open-angle glaucoma (AOR=1.83, 95% CI=1.35-2.97), advanced-stage glaucoma (AOR=2.54, 95% CI=1.05–6.17), and longer duration of diagnosis (AOR=3.89, 95% CI=2.29–6.58) were significantly associated with visual impairment in adult glaucoma patients.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that visual impairment was significantly higher in adult glaucoma patients. Female gender, rural residence, primary open-angle glaucoma, advanced stage glaucoma, and longer duration of diagnosis were significantly associated with visual impairment in adult glaucoma patients.

KEYWORDS: Visual impairment, Glaucoma, Adult, Ethiopia, Gondar