Methods and design of the Chennai Glaucoma Study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the methodology of a population-based study to estimate the prevalence of glaucoma in a rural and urban South Indian population and to study the genetics of glaucoma in this population.


METHODS
A sample size of 4758 each for rural and urban populations in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu was calculated. Eligible subjects aged 40 years and above from the rural study area covering 32 contiguous villages and the urban area comprising five random clusters in Chennai city are enumerated. Demographic data are collected in the field. A detailed clinical examination, including glaucoma diagnostic procedures, is conducted at the examination centre. Pedigree ascertainment and genetic studies are performed for subjects with occludable angles or glaucoma. Data are recorded in a computerised database.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is expected to result in an estimation of the prevalence and a better understanding of the genetics of glaucoma in this region.
Arvind
Hemamalini
H
Glaucoma Project, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, Sankara Nethralaya, India.
Paul
Pradeep G
PG
Raju
Prema
P
Baskaran
M
M
George
Ronnie
R
Balu
Sukumar
S
Sripriya
Sarangapani
S
Ramesh
S Ve
SV
Mukesh
Bickol N
BN
Vijaya
Lingam
L
Kumaramanickavel
Govindasamy
G
McCarty
Catherine
C
D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*