INTRODUCTION:

As announced by the World Health Organization, glaucoma is the second key cause of visual loss worldwide.¹ It is a group of diseases in which progressive optic neuropathy leads to a characteristic loss in visual field. Glaucoma is more prevalent in aged individuals and in patients with a familial medical history of glaucoma. Glaucoma progresses silently and results in an irreversible loss of sight; hence, it interferes with the normal function in an affected individual.²

Over the past four decades, the Indian government has gradually adopted economy-related policies to improvise the economic status of the population in the country, similarly a huge growth in health care infrastructure, both in urban and rural sectors, has been noticed over past two decades. This infrastructure growth causes changes in perception, treatment-seeking behaviour, and belief about health care in the Indian population.^3,4The adult literacy rate showed a considerable improvement from 52.2% in 1991 to 74% in 2011 among the population of the age group of 7 years and above in India.⁵ In the year 1976, the Indian government launched the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) where information, education, and communication were its important elements to spread awareness on eye care in the community.⁶

The global prevalence of glaucoma in the population aged between 40 and 80 years has been estimated at 3.54%. The projection of the glaucoma burden from the study by Tham et al. is that the number of glaucoma patients will increase from 76.0 million worldwide in 2020 to 111.8 million in 2040.⁷ Research on glaucoma has increased in the past decade and glaucoma has been established among the top five most frequently studied eye diseases.⁸ However, the increase in glaucoma research has not been followed with an increase in glaucoma awareness in the general population or health care professionals. Moreover, even data on the education of pharmacy, dental and medical students in this field is limited. The results of a study by Martins, conducted in medical students, revealed that 95.1% of the participants considered their level of glaucoma knowledge insufficient. It seems reasonable that proper formal education would result in better understanding of this condition in future health care professionals, and the optimization of glaucoma patient care in their daily practice. Similar findings were observed in a study by Boadi-Kusi et al., which included pharmacy, dental and medical students. Interestingly, these results also revealed that the media had a major role in students’ glaucoma awareness but a limited role in students’ knowledge.^9,10,11

Considering the importance of vision in modern society, the disease at an advanced stage can potentially reduce one’s quality of life to different degrees, causing emotional and workforce damage and certainly a greater use of health resources.¹² The risk of blindness depends on susceptibility factors, such as family history, the way the disease progresses, the level of eye pressure and age at disease onset, previous eye diseases and injuries, topical and systemic use of corticosteroids, consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and high blood pressure.^13,14,15 Treatment is based on clinical and surgical strategies to reduce intraocular pressure, the only factor susceptible to change.^16,17 In addition, it aims to reduce the progression of optic nerve damage and maintain vision for a more extended period of time.^18,19

Previous studies published on glaucoma in Togo in the urban population have shown that patients are not aware of the disease.²⁰ Other similar studies have been carried out in hospitals outside our borders showing a low level of knowledge of glaucoma by healthcare workers.^21,22

One of the newer options in the management of glaucoma is the development of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), typically performed in combination with cataract surgery. There are currently a wide range of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MIGS procedures with varying mechanisms of action and efficacy. Several studies on various MIGS procedures have demonstrated a post-operative reduction in IOP as well as a reduction in the number of medications required for IOP control.²³

Among non-ophthalmologist nursing staff, it is clear that there is a wide range of knowledge about glaucoma. However, none have yet been made among the nursing staff in Lomé. It is with a view to improving prevention and diagnostic strategies, assessing the level of knowledge of the caregiver in case of glaucoma that we conducted this study, the aim of which is to assess the knowledge, practices and attitudes of practitioners about glaucoma.

One of the continents with a substantial burden of glaucoma, where it is approximately twice as common as it is worldwide. If left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness and permanent vision loss if it is not addressed promptly. Good knowledge is essential for preventing glaucoma's irreversible blindness and ocular damage.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To assess the existing knowledge on glaucoma among 3rd year B.Sc. Nursing Students.

2. To find out the association pre-test level of knowledge on glaucoma with the selected demographic variables.

HYPOTHESIS:

1. H₀- Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no significant difference in the knowledge level among 3^rd year B.Sc. Nursing students of NRI College of Nursing regarding glaucoma.

2. H₁ – Alternative hypothesis: There will be a significant association between knowledge regarding Glaucoma among 3^rd year BSc Nursing Students of NRI College Of Nursing with their selected variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research approach and design:

Quantitative research approach and pre-experimental one group pretest research design was used.

Setting of the study:

The study was conducted at NRI College of Nursing, Chinnakakani, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Sample and sampling technique:

The target population comprised third year B.Sc. Nursing students.

A total of 100 B.Sc. third year students were selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique.

Criteria for sample selection:

Inclusion criteria:

· Third year B.Sc. Nursing.

· Willingly agreed to participate in the study.

· Available at the time of data collection.

Exclusion criteria:

· Not willing to participate in the study.

· Those who were absent at the time of data collection.

Description of the tool:

A structured knowledge questionnaire was used as the data collection tool.

· Section A: This section consists of 5 items on demographic characteristics of the participants in relation to their age, gender, religion, residence and source of information

· Section B: This section consists of a structured knowledge questionnaire on glaucoma

· Total items: 30 multiple choice questions

· Domains: Introduction, Definition, incidence, risk factors, causes, signs and symptoms, types, diagnostic evaluation, complications, management and prevention.

· Each correct answer scored 1;

· incorrect answer scored 0

· Maximum score: 30

Content validity:

The prepared tool was submitted to a panel of 3 experts from the fields of Medical Surgical Nursing and Community Health; the modifications and suggestions of expert were incorporated in the final preparations of the tool.

Reliability:

Reliability was established using the test method. The questionnaire was administered to 10 Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing students with a 10-day interval.

The calculated reliability coefficient was 0.88, indicating high stability.

Pilot study:

A pilot study was conducted on 10Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing Students from NRI College of Nursing to assess the feasibility of the study, the clarity of the tool, and the approximate time required for data collection. The questionnaire was administered on 20^th October 2024 and readministered on 30^th October 2024 as part of the pilot process. It was observed that participants took approximately 30-40minutes to complete the questionnaire. Students who took part in pilot study were excluded from the main study sample.

Ethical consideration:

Ethical clearance was taken from the institutional ethical committee.

Confidentiality and right to withdraw at any time were ensured.

Data collection procedure:

The data collection was carried out after obtaining permission from the principal and informed consent from participants.

· On 25^th November 2024, a pretest was administered to assess the knowledge of B.Sc. Nursing Students regarding glaucoma.

The process was conducted in a classroom setting under the researcher’s supervision. Participants were given 30-40 minutes to complete the test.

Plan for data analysis:

The data collected were entered, organized, and analysed using Microsoft Excel, along with manual methods for double verification.

Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to summarize participants’ demographic details and knowledge scores.

The Chi square test was applied to assess the association between selected demographic variables knowledge levels.

RESULTS:

Section 1:

Demographic Characteristics of the Participants:

Table-1: Frequency and percentage distribution of participants according to demographic variables

S. No.

Demographic Variables

Age in years

a) 18-20 years

b) 21-22 years

c) 23-25 years

d) 26-28 years

36%

62%

Gender

a) Male

b) Female

100

100%

Religion

a) Hindu

b) Muslim

c) Christian

d) Others

30%

62%

Residence

a) Rural

b) Urban

42%

58%

Source of Information

a) Medical professionals

b) Nursing professionals

c) Mass media

d) Educational classes

73%

14%

Out of 100 participants, more than half (62%) of the respondents were in the age group of 21-22 years. About the (100%) of the respondents are females. About religion more than half (62%) of the respondents are Christians. Majority of the respondents (58%) are in urban residence. Majority of respondents (73%) are nursing professionals.

Section 2:

Table-2: Mean and standard deviation of analysis regarding knowledge of glaucoma among 3^rd year B.Sc. Nursing students

Variables	Mean	Standard deviation
Knowledge	14.86	4.225

Table-2illustrates that the maximum score was 30and the knowledge scores range from 3-23 with a mean score of 14.86 and standard deviation of 4.225.

Section 3:

Table-3: Frequency and percentage distribution of knowledge scores

S. No.	Knowledge	Score	(f)	(%)
1.	Excellent (75-100%)	23-30	1	1%
2.	Good (50-74%)	15-22	53	53%
3.	Poor (0-49%)	0-14	46	46%

Table-3 the above table shows the knowledge, majority 53% had good knowledge, while 46% had poor knowledge and only 1% had excellent knowledge regarding glaucoma.

Section 4:

Comparison of mean and standard deviation

Table-4: Mean, Standard deviation of the poor, good and excellent knowledge scores.

Variable	Knowledge	Mean	SD
Knowledge	Poor knowledge	14.7	4.20
	good knowledge	14.9	4.24
	excellent knowledge	23	-

Poor knowledge:

The table shows that, regarding glaucoma among third year B.Sc. nursing students mean value was 14.7±4.20

Good knowledge:

From the above table regarding glaucoma among third year B.Sc. nursing students mean value 14.9±4.25

Excellent knowledge:

Above table shows regarding glaucoma among third year B.Sc. nursing students mean value 23.

DISCUSSION:

This study examined the knowledge regarding glaucoma among nursing students.

The mean test knowledge score was 14.86±4.225, indicating poor baseline knowledge is 46%. While 53% demonstrated good knowledge (50-74%), and 1% achieved excellent knowledge (≥75%). These findings are consistent with similar studies reporting some members insufficient knowledge on glaucoma among nursing students in India.

To examine the association of demographic variables on pre-test knowledge, Chi-square analysis was conducted. Significant associations were found for: Age (13.62) all at P<0.05. No significant association was observed for:

· Religion (χ² = 5.064),

· Residence (χ² = 7.74) and

· Source of information (χ² = 9.71)

These findings suggest that baseline knowledge may vary depending on the learner’s background and prior exposure to relevant information.

CONCLUSION:

This study found that a structure questionnaire significantly knows the knowledge regarding glaucoma among B.Sc. Nursing students. The results highlight the usefulness of multimedia tools in nursing education, making complex health topics more accessible and engaging. Integrating such methods into the curriculum can empower future nurses to promote awareness and early detection both in clinical and community settings.

LIMITATIONS:

The study was limited to a single institution with a small sample size, which may affect generalizability. It also measured only short-term knowledge gain and did not assess long-term retention.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. A similar study can be conduct on large sample to generalize the findings

2. A descriptive study can be carried out.

3. Long-term follow-up studies are recommended to assess knowledge retention.

4. A similar study can be done using various instructional strategies.

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Received on 21.11.2025 Revised on 26.12.2025

Accepted on 27.01.2026 Published on 26.02.2026

Available online from March 03, 2026

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2026;5(1):20-24.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2026.05

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