[Early detection of glaucoma by a mobile unit--results from 10,000 examinees].
Glaucoma, the third leading cause of blindness in the western world, is characterized by painless, gradual loss of visual fields which may lead to severe visual impairment or even blindness. In 4 years of operation of a mobile glaucoma unit for screening and early diagnosis of glaucoma, 10,037 subjects aged 18-95 years were screened (4504 women, 45%); 55% were under 50 years (Graph 1). Ocular hypertension was diagnosed in 8.0%; primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in 0.8%, with 2/3 already under treatment, the rest newly diagnosed. Pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma was diagnosed in 0.2%; only 2 cases had closed angle glaucoma; 91% of those screened were normal (Fig. 4; age stratification, Graph 3). POAG increased with age, from 0.2% in those under 40 years to 10% in those over 80; POAG was more common in men, but OHT was similar in both sexes (6.0% vs. 5.3%). There was no correlation between incidence of POAG and place of work except in the Sorek Nuclear Center (1.9% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.11). Other conditions significantly more frequent in POAG than normals were diabetes mellitus (x 2.5), systemic hypertension (x 4), myopia (x 2) and history of intraocular surgery (x 6).
Kurtz
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Sam Rothberg Glaucoma Center, Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
Goldenfeld
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Melamed
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008952:Mobile Health Units; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology