A study of prevalence and characteristics of glaucoma in pseudo exfoliation syndrome

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Pseudo exfoliation is a recognised risk factor for developing glaucoma. Pseudo exfoliation glaucoma is the most common form of secondary open angle glaucoma.

To study the prevalence and characteristics of Glaucoma in Pseudo exfoliation syndrome.

This hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study included all patients diagnosed as Pseudo exfoliation syndrome with age group of 40–80 years at the Tertiary Eye Care Centre. A study proforma was used to obtain socio-demographic information, medical history, ocular history and relevant findings on ocular and systemic examination. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed.

Ninety-six patients with pseudo exfoliation of age 61.15+7.41 SD were examined. The prevalence of glaucoma among the Pseudo exfoliation patients was 35%. In Pseudo exfoliation syndrome, Open angle glaucoma (88%) is more common than Angle closure glaucoma (12%) and Unilateral glaucoma [65%] is more common than Bilateral glaucoma (35%). Glaucoma in Pseudo exfoliation syndrome showed signs of moderate to severe glaucomatous damage including moderate (71%) to severe (22%) optic disc cupping and moderate (33%) to severe (9%) visual field defects. Single drug (Timolol 0.5%) was effective in 21% of glaucoma patients and combination drugs (Timolol 0.5% and Brimonidine 0.2%) needed to treat 44% of glaucoma patients. Rest 35% of patients had poor response to medical management and were effectively managed by Trabeculectomy.

Glaucoma in Pseudo exfoliation syndrome is relatively common and has a more severe clinical course. Hence careful ocular examination of Pseudo exfoliation patients is mandatory to identify and treat glaucoma at the earliest.