[The French glaucoma and ocular hypertension 1-day study].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution and characteristics (age, duration, type, treatment, etc.) of ocular hypertension and glaucoma in French ophthalmologic practices.


METHODS
The French glaucoma and ocular hypertension 1-day study is a descriptive cross-sectional "1-day" type survey, conducted among all ophthalmologists of mainland France. They had to include all patients aged 18 years and over with ocular hypertension or glaucoma who were seen on November 25th 2003. The participation rate was 24.0% (1.173 ophthalmologists). Among the 3.919 patients included, 3.896 subjects (99%) had usable data for the statistical analyses.


RESULTS
The ophthalmologists reported treating 16 patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma on average per week. Among the patients, 29.5% had ocular hypertension, 61.7% had open-angle glaucoma, 3.4% had normal tension glaucoma, and 5.5% angle-closure glaucoma. The ophthalmologists used surgery or laser treatment for 74.1% of angle-closure glaucoma, while for other pathologies, treatment with drugs only was preponderant. More than 87% of patients received one or several ocular treatments: beta-blockers (59.3%), prostaglandins (50.1%), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (21.6%), or mydriatic sympathomimetics (6.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The characteristics of glaucoma and ocular hypertension (type of glaucoma, age, duration, etc.) correspond to those of other Western populations. The therapeutic habits of French ophthalmologists is in line with current international guidelines.
Villain
M
M
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, 80, avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5.
Nordmann
J-P
JP
Renard
J-P
JP
Bron
A
A
Delcourt
C
C
Pinchinat
S
S
Solesse de Gendre
A
A
Pelen
F
F
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors