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

• Author Details:   
• Gnanaselvan Joseph
• Anbuselvi Thirunavukkarasu

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Background: 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.
Aim and Objective: To study the prevalence and characteristics of Glaucoma in Pseudo exfoliation syndrome.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: Disc changes, Prevalence, Pseudo exfoliation Glaucoma, Pseudo exfoliation syndrome, Visual fields