Knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns regarding glaucoma among medical students and healthcare professionals in Eastern India

doi:10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.105287

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Dec 20, 2025 (publication date) through Aug 4, 2025

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World Journal of Methodology

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2222-0682

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Observational Study

World J Methodol. Dec 20, 2025; 15(4): 105287
Published online Dec 20, 2025. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.105287

Table 1 Sociodemographic profile of the study participants, n (%)

	Nursing students (n = 50)	MBBS students (n = 122)	Resident doctors (n = 40)	Consultant (n = 40)	Nursing officer (n = 161)	Paramedical staff (n = 10)	Total (n = 423)
Age group
20-30 years	50 (100)	122 (100)	35(87.5)	0 (0)	137 (85.0)	1 (10)	345 (81.6)
31-40 years	0 (0)	0 (0.0)	5 (12.5)	14 (35.0)	24 (15.0)	9 (90)	52 (12.3)
41-50 years	0 (0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.00)	26 (65.0)	0 (0.0)	0	26 (6.1)
51-60 years	0 (0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.00)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0	0 (0)
Sex
Male	0 (0)	85(69.7)	21 (52.5)	34 (85.0)	42 (26.1)	1 (10.0)	183 (43.3)
Female	50 (100)	37 (30.3)	19 (47.5)	6 (15.0)	119 (74.9)	9 (90.0)	240 (56.7)

Table 2 Response to knowledge-based questions, n (%)

	Nursing students (n = 50)	MBBS students (n = 122)	Resident doctors (n = 40)	Consultants (n = 40)	Nursing staff (n = 161)	Paramedical staff (n = 10)	P value
Q1. Have you heard about glaucoma?
Yes	50 (100)	106 (86.9)	38 (95.0)	40(100)	160 (99.4)	9 (90.0)	< 0.001¹
No	0 (0)	16 (13.1)	2 (5.0)	0 (0)	1(0.6)	1 (10.0)	< 0.001¹
Q2. How do you explain glaucoma?
High eye pressure	13 (26)	25 (20.4)	21 (52.5)	25 (62.5)	68 (42.2)	2 (20)	< 0.001¹
High pressure causing blindness	26 (52)	54 (44.2)	17 (42.5)	27 (67.5)	85 (52.8)	6 (60)
Damage to the eye nerve	9 (18)	30 (24.5)	27 (67.5)	10 (25)	37 (22.9)	1 (10)
Causes visual field loss	1 (2)	11 (9)	22 (55)	10 (25)	34 (21.1)	0
Others			0	0	3 (1)	1 (10)
Q3. How did you learn about glaucoma?
Mass media	2 (4)	12 (9.8)	1 (2.5)	0	4 (2)	0	< 0.001¹
Friend	3 (6)	33 (27)	1 (2.5)	2 (5)	10 (6.2)	0
Doctor	12 (24)	36 (29.5)	10 (25)	14 (35)	29 (18)	2 (20)
Medical training	32 (64)	17 (13.9)	28 (70)	26 (65)	128 (79.5)	7 (70)
Brochure	0 (0)	3 (2)	0	0	0	0
Others	1 (2)	4 (2.2)	0	0	0	1 (10)
Q4. Does anyone in your family have glaucoma?
Yes	5 (10)	7 (5)	3 (7.5)	2 (5)	5 (3)	1 (10)	0.01¹
No	43 (86)	97 (79.5)	34 (85)	36 (90)	153 (95.5)	8 (80)	0.01¹
Do not know	2 (4)	16 (13.1)	3 (7.5)	2 (5)	2 (1.5)	1 (10)
Q5. Have you heard about the World Glaucoma Week celebration?
Yes	30 (60)	15 (12.5)	27 (67.5)	26 (65)	104 (64.5)	8 (80)	< 0.001¹
No	20 (40)	105 (87.5)	13 (32.5)	14 (35)	55 (35.5)	2 (20)	< 0.001¹

¹χ² test.

Table 3 Response to attitude-based questions, n (%)

	Nursing students (n = 50)	MBBS students (n = 122)	Resident doctors (n = 40)	Consultants (n = 40)	Nursing staff (n = 161)	Paramedical staff (n = 10)	P value
Q1. Glaucoma and cataracts are the same.
Yes	3 (6)	0	1 (2.5)	0	5 (3.1)	0	< 0.01¹
No	46 (92)	104 (85.2)	37 (92.5)	40 (100)	155 (96.2)	9 (90)	< 0.01¹
Do not know	1 (2)	18 (14.8)	2 (5)	0	1 (0.6)	1 (10)
Q2. Glaucoma occurs without symptoms.
Yes	8 (16)	20 (16.4)	25 (62.5)	26 (65)	45 (27.9)	1 (10)	< 0.01¹
No	38 (76)	48 (39.3)	13 (32.5)	14 (35)	113 (70.1)	7 (70)
Do not know	4 (8)	54 (44.3)	2 (5)	0	3 (1.8)	2 (20)
Q3. Risk factors for glaucoma.
High BP	18 (36)	53 (42.5)	20 (50)	10 (25)	87 (54)	1 (10)	< 0.01¹
Old age	26 (52)	31 (24.7)	18 (45)	9 (22.5)	82 (50.9)	4 (40)
Family history	13 (26)	25 (21.5)	25 (62.5)	8 (20)	40 (24.8)	4 (40)
Steroid use	7 (14)	6 (4.7)	21 (52.5)	21 (52.5)	23 (14.2)	0
Do not know	0	18 (14.8)	3 (7.5)	4 (10)	4 (2.4)	1 (10)
Q4. Early blindness from glaucoma is preventable.
Yes	38 (76)	65 (53.3)	37 (92.5)	40 (100)	140 (86.9)	9 (90)	< 0.01¹
No	8 (16)	10 (8.2)	0	0	10 (6.2)	1 (10)
Do not know	4 (8)	47 (36.9)	3 (7.5)	0	11 (6.8)	0
Q5. Peripheral vision loss occurs in glaucoma.
Yes	35 (70)	67 (54.9)	32 (80)	27 (67.5)	136 (84.4)	7 (70)	< 0.01¹
No	8 (16)	6 (4.9)	3 (7.5)	2 (5)	10 (6.2)	3 (30)
Do not know	7 (14)	49 (40.2)	5 (12.5)	11 (27.5)	15 (9.3)	0
Q6. What happens to eye pressure in glaucoma?
Increases	44 (88)	98 (80.3)	37 (92.5)	40 (100)	158 (98.1)	8 (80)	< 0.01¹
Decreases	2 (4)	4 (3.3)	1 (2.5)	0	0	0
Do not know	4 (8)	20 (16.3)	2 (5)	0	3 (1.8)	2 (20)
Q7. Which part of the eye is affected?
Cornea	11 (22)	22 (17.1)	6 (15)	6 (15)	33 (20.4)	6 (60)	< 0.01¹
Lens	12 (24)	29 (22.6)	2 (5)	0	31 (19.2)	5 (50)
Retina	8 (16)	34 (27.8)	11 (27.5)	22 (55)	45 (27.9)	3 (30)
Optic nerve	29 (48)	51 (41.7)	36 (90)	24 (60)	113 (70.1)	8 (80)
Others	0	0	0	0	2 (1.2)	0
None	2 (4)	17 (13.9)	2 (5)	2 (5)	2 (1.2)	0
Q8. If glaucoma is present in your family, can you develop it?
Yes	31 (62)	39 (32)	34 (85)	25 (62.5)	69 (42.8)	6 (60)	< 0.01¹
No	14 (28)	28 (23)	3 (7.5)	3 (7.5)	75 (46.5)	3 (30)
Do not know	5 (10)	55 (44)	3 (7.5)	12 (30)	17 (10.5)	1 (10)
Q9.Vision loss in glaucoma.
Reversible	11 (22)	18 (14.8)	7 (17.5)	6 (15)	44 (27.3)	3 (30)	< 0.01¹
Irreversible	33 (66)	58 (47.5)	25 (62.5)	30 (75)	96 (59.6)	6 (60)
Don’t know	6 (12)	46 (37.7)	8 (20)	4 (10)	21 (13)	1 (10)
Q10. Is a person with diabetes or hypertension at risk of glaucoma?
Yes	41 (82)	71 (58.2)	36 (90)	31 (77.5)	154 (95.6)	8 (80)	< 0.01¹
No	5 (10)	4 (3.3)	0	0	3 (1.8)	1 (10)
Don’t know	4 (8)	47 (38.5)	4 (10)	9 (22.5)	5 (3.1)	1 (10)
Q11. Is glaucoma treatable?
Yes	39 (78)	65 (53.3)	37 (92.5)	38 (95)	149 (92.5)	7 (70)	< 0.01¹
No	7 (14)	17 (13.9)	1 (2.5)	2 (5)	8 (4.9)	2 (20)
Do not know	4 (8)	37 (30.3)	2 (5)	0	4 (2.4)	1 (10)
Q12. What treatments are available?
Eyedrops	28 (56)	66 (53)	30 (75)	33 (82.5)	107 (66.4)	7 (70)	< 0.01¹
Tablets	14 (26)	13 (10.5)	23 (57.5)	11 (27.5)	49 (30.3)	3 (30)
Laser	13 (26)	33 (26.9)	25 (62.5)	12 (30)	49 (30.3)	4 (40)
Surgery	36 (72)	64 (51)	32 (80)	14 (35)	140 (86.9)	8 (80)
Device implant	1 (2)	5 (4)	23 (57.5)	0	20 (12.4)	0
Others	2 (4)	0	0	0	1 (0.6)	0
None	2 (4)	20 (16.4)	2 (5)	0	1 (0.6)	1 (10)
Q13. Treatment is lifelong.
Yes	20 (40)	31 (25.4)	19 (47.5)	13 (32.5)	87 (54.0)	7 (70)	< 0.01¹
No	17 (34)	22 (18)	10 (25)	17 (42.5)	53 (32.9)	2 (20)
Do not know	13 (26)	69 (54.9)	11 (27.5)	10 (25)	21 (13.0)	1 (10)
Q14. It can be treated by eye donation.
Yes	25 (50)	27 (22.1)	6 (15)	11 (27.5)	38 (23.6)	6 (60)	< 0.01¹
No	15 (30)	34 (27.9)	25 (62.5)	21 (52.5)	86 (53.4)	1 (10)
Do not know	10 (20)	61 (47.5)	9 (22.5)	8 (20)	37 (22.9)	3 (30)
Q15. Purpose of treatment in glaucoma.
Restore vision	32 (64)	39 (31.9)	16 (40)	22 (55)	103 (63.9)	4 (40)	< 0.01¹
Delay progression	16 (32)	46 (37.7)	28 (70)	19 (47.5)	51 (31.6)	6 (60)
Do not know	2 (4)	37 (30.1)	3 (7.5)	3 (7.5)	7 (4.3)	0

¹χ² test. BP: Blood pressure.

Table 4 Response to practice-based questions, n (%)

	Nursing students (n = 50)	MBBS students (n = 122)	Resident doctors (n = 40)	Consultants (n = 40)	Nursing staff (n = 161)	Paramedical staff (n = 10)	P value
Q1. When did you last visit an ophthalmologist?
< 1 year	26 (52)	78 (64.7)	22 (55)	23 (57.5)	65 (40.3)	7 (70)	< 0.01¹
1-2 years	14 (28)	14 (12.4)	8 (20)	13 (32.5)	21 (13.0)	2 (2)
> 3 years	3 (6)	10 (8.2)	5 (12.5)	4 (10)	29 (18)	1 (10)
Never	7 (14)	13 (10.7)	5 (12.5)	0	46 (28.5)	0
Q2. Are you in favor of routine yearly eye checkups?
Strongly agree	28 (56)	47 (38.5%)	22 (55%)	40 (100%)	57 (35.4)	5 (50)	< 0.01¹
Agree	18 (36)	56 (45.9)	16 (40)	0	93 (57.5)	4 (40)
Neutral	3 (6)	13 (10.7)	4 (10)	0	9 (5.5)	1 (10)
Disagree	1 (2)	3 (2.5)	3 (7.5)	0	2 (12)	0
Strongly disagree	0	3 (2.5)	0	0	0	0
Q3. If you were diagnosed with glaucoma, would you agree to treatment?
Visit your ophthalmologist regularly and take the suggested treatment	43 (86)	93 (76.2)	28 (70)	36 (90)	134 (83.2)	9 (90)	0.02¹
Might miss one or two doses	3 (6)	2 (1.6)	5 (12.5)	0	4 (2.4)	0
Will prefer getting glaucoma surgery	4 (8)	27 (22.1)	7 (17.5)	4 (10)	27 (16.7)	1 (10)
Q4. If surgery was the only treatment option available, what would you do?
Will promptly go ahead with the surgery	41 (82)	82 (67.2)	36 (90)	20 (50)	138 (85.7)	10 (100)	< 0.01¹
Try to defer surgery and continue eye drops	7 (14)	29 (23.8)	1 (2.5)	20 (50)	15 (9.3)	0
Take eyedrops and start alternatives like Ayurveda	2 (4)	11 (9)	3 (7.5)	0	3 (1.8)	0
Q5. Have you attended any seminars or symposiums on glaucoma?
Yes	12 (24)	11 (9)	6 (15)	9 (22.5)	20 (12.4)	3 (30)	0.047¹
No	38 (76)	111 (91)	34 (85)	31 (77.5)	141 (87.5)	7 (70)	0.047¹
Q6. Will you support the glaucoma awareness program and camps?
Strongly agree	27 (54)	68 (55.7)	24 (60)	34 (85)	93 (57.7)	5 (50)	0.02¹
Agree	21 (42)	42 (34.4)	15 (37.5)	4 (10)	64 (39.7)	4 (40)
Neutral	2 (4)	10 (8.2)	1 (2.5)	0	4 (2.4)	1 (10)
Disagree	0	0	0	0	0	0
Strongly disagree	0	2 (1.6)	0	0	0	0
Q7. Which type of awareness program do you think will reach more people and be more informative?
Seminars	10 (20)	28 (22.9)	5 (5)	8 (20)	42 (26.1)	4 (40)	< 0.01¹
Regular TV	11 (22)	32 (26.1)	15 (37.5)	8 (20)	43 (26.7)	3 (30)
Regular FM	2 (4)	6 (4.8)	9 (22.5)	10 (25)	8 (4.9)	1 (10)
Article	3 (6)	20 (16.4)	10 (25)	2 (5)	8 (4.9)	1 (10)
Brochure	3 (6)	13 (7.2)	0	2 (5)	17 (10.5)	1 (10)
Others	3 (6)	2 (1.6)	0	0	4 (2.4)	0
All of the above	28 (56)	66 (53.1)	19 (47.5)	18 (45)	95 (59)	4 (40)

¹χ² test.

Citation: Nayak B, Chakraborty K, Palanisamy S, Rathod RS, Parija S, Panda BB. Knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns regarding glaucoma among medical students and healthcare professionals in Eastern India. World J Methodol 2025; 15(4): 105287
URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2222-0682/full/v15/i4/105287.htm
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5662/wjm.v15.i4.105287