The risk of glaucoma in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the conversion rate of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) to pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or treated ocular hypertension.


METHODS
Retrospective community-based study of newly diagnosed cases of PEX syndrome in all residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota between 1976 and 1991. The end point was considered the initiation of therapy, which included patients with glaucoma (optic disc damage or visual field defects), or with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg in the presence of risk factors; the subsequent development of damage in the latter group was also determined.


RESULTS
Two hundred fifty-five patients (318 eyes) had newly diagnosed PEX over the 15-year interval. Mean age was 73+/-10 years; 78% (199/255) were female. Of all PEX patients, 16% were placed on therapy at the time of initial diagnosis of PEX. In the remaining PEX patients, the probability of being placed on therapy was 44% at 15 years. Bilateral PEX was present in 25% at initial diagnosis and developed in another 29% by 15 years. Of those not placed on therapy, 16% (23/142) had IOP increase 5+ mm Hg during follow-up, with 11% (16/142) reaching 22 mm Hg or more. The strongest risk factors for converting to therapy were IOP at initial diagnosis of PEX and bilateral involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
In a geographically defined population of PEX patients, 16% required treatment upon presentation. Of the remaining PEX patients, 44% received therapy over the next 15 years.
Jeng
Samuel M
SM
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
Karger
Randy A
RA
Hodge
David O
DO
Burke
James P
JP
Johnson
Douglas H
DH
Good
Margaret S
MS
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents