Ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome and life span.
BACKGROUND
To compare life span of persons with and without ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES).


METHODS
The study is based on an epidemiological survey conducted in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway, in 1985-86. All inhabitants over 64 years of age (2109 individuals) were invited. Mortality information was obtained from The Norwegian Institute of Public Health in 2014, by which time 99% of the participants were deceased.


RESULTS
When adjusting for age and gender, life span was not statistically different in persons with and without PES. Following the diagnosis of PES, patients' survival was up to, and beyond, 30 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that, despite all the systemic aberrations reported in persons with ocular PES, none or only marginal functional changes are caused in extraocular organs and tissues. The present study supports the notion that systemic PES is not a life-threatening condition.
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway ; Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Jon Klokk
JK
Slettedal
Oslo Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
Leiv
L
Sandvik
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Amund
A
Ringvold
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008136:Longevity; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
Cardiovascular disease; Eye; Life span; Mortality; Ophthalmology; Pseudoexfoliation syndrome; Survey