[Incidence of primary angle-closure glaucoma in the Glaucoma Service of the São Geraldo Hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of the primary angle-closure glaucoma at the Glaucoma Service of São Geraldo Hospital, to establish the profile of these patients and to identify the possible risk factors.


METHODS
Transversal study. Period of assessment: from September/2005 to August/2006.


METHODS
diagnosis of primary angle-closure glaucoma.


METHODS
presence of cataracts that cause low visual acuity or index-myopia, secondary glaucoma, plateau iris. Number of visits, incidence of primary angle-closure glaucoma, age, gender, race, family history of glaucoma, keratometric, and biometric data were assessed.


RESULTS
Of 879 attended patients, 20 (2.3%) had the diagnosis of primary angle-closure glaucoma, therefore, the incidence of the primary angle-closure glaucoma was 22.7 cases per 1000 attended. Of those patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma: 6 (30.0%) were men and 14 (70.0%) women; the age varied from 40 to 73 years (average: 60.4 +/- 8.1 years); 12 (60.0%) were leukodermics and 8 (40.0%) pheodermics; 5 (25.0%) with positive familiar history of glaucoma. The relative risk for women was 1.44 (95% IC). Eleven (55.0%) patients had primary angle-closure glaucoma of the right eye and 9 (45.0%) of the left. When biometric data and keratometry were compared between the affected and contralateral eye, no statistical significant difference was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of the primary angle-closure glaucoma at the Glaucoma Service of São Geraldo Hospital was 22.7 cases per 1000 attended. It was more frequent in leukodermic women, without family history of glaucoma and with an average age of 60.4 years. The affected and contralateral eyes were biometrically similar.
Mérula
Rafael Vidal
RV
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. rafaelmerula@hotmail.com
Cronemberger
Sebastião
S
Calixto
Nassim
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors