Awareness of Glaucoma Risk Factors Among Adults in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, yet awareness of its risk factors among the general population in Nigeria remains low. This study assesses the level of awareness of glaucoma risk factors among adults aged 30 years and above in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which is situated in the South South geopolitical zone. A descriptive cross-sectional design will be utilized, with 380 adult participants selected through stratified random sampling from three residential communities in Port Harcourt. A structured, pre-tested questionnaire will be used to collect information on participants' awareness of glaucoma, perceived risk factors, prior history of eye examinations, and family history of the disease. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and awareness levels. The study hypothesizes that fewer than 40 percent of participants will be able to correctly identify at least three major glaucoma risk factors. Findings will underline the urgent need for community-based glaucoma awareness campaigns and regular intraocular pressure screening in the South South zone. Results will be disseminated to the Rivers State Ministry of Health and local primary healthcare centers to guide the design of targeted public health messaging. This research provides an important contribution to community optometry practice by identifying awareness gaps that fuel delayed glaucoma diagnosis and preventable blindness in southern Nigeria. Keywords: glaucoma, awareness, risk factors, Port Harcourt, adult population