Factors associated with use of glaucoma medications in a population of older people: The Blue Mountains Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors associated with use of glaucoma medications in a population of older people.


METHODS
The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 people aged 49-97 years. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included information on current medication use. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) was diagnosed if matching glaucomatous visual field defects and optic disc cupping were present. Ocular hypertension (OH) was diagnosed in subjects without glaucomatous disc and field changes who had an intraocular pressure (IOP) of > or = 22 mmHg in either eye or who had lower IOP levels but reported treatment with glaucoma medication.


RESULTS
Use of glaucoma medication was reported by 3.3% of persons in this population (119/3644), including 44% of OAG and 28% of OH cases. Among newly diagnosed OAG and OH cases, 30% had never visited an ophthalmologist. Factors associated with a previous diagnosis of OAG or OH in a multivariate model included use of one or more general medications (OR 7.5; 95% CI 2.5-22.9), a history of other eye disease (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.9-6.2) and first-degree family history of glaucoma (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.8-7.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Glaucoma screening may need to target individuals with OAG risk factors who are less likely to visit a general practitioner or ophthalmologist.
Hourihan
F
F
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Mitchell
P
P
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D013566:Sympathomimetics