Prevalence of nocturnal oxygen desaturation and self-reported sleep-disordered breathing in glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of nocturnal oxygen desaturation and sleep-disordered breathing symptoms within a glaucoma population.


METHODS
One hundred and twelve subjects (glaucoma=52, control=60) aged between 45 and 80 years were recruited for the study. Clinical assessment included overnight ambulatory pulse oximetry monitoring and administration of a self-reported sleep-disordered breathing questionnaire.


RESULTS
There were no differences in age, sex, body mass index, or prevalence of systemic hypertension between the groups. The mean oxygen desaturation index of the glaucoma group (8.6) did not differ significantly from that of the control group (9.6) (P=0.715). The prevalence of moderate to severe respiratory dysfunction (oxygen desaturation index >20) in the glaucoma group (17%) was similar to that in the control group (12%) (P=0.463). The severity of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms was similar between the groups (P=0.157).


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant association was found between glaucoma and either nocturnal oxygen desaturation or sleep-disordered breathing. Although this study cannot exclude the possibility of either impaired optic nerve head autoregulation or hypoxic damage occurring secondary to sleep apnea syndrome, the findings do not support the routine use of pulse oximetry in the workup of individuals with glaucoma.
Roberts
Timothy V
TV
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia. tim.roberts@vgaustralia.com
Hodge
Chris
C
Graham
Stuart L
SL
Burlutsky
George
G
Mitchell
Paul
P
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010100:Oxygen