Epidemiology of simple glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Abstract

The techniques of epidemiology originated in the study of the factors determining the spread ofinfectious disease. To-day, the term can be taken to mean, in a broader sense, the elucidation by the study of (3) Most surveys have relied on tonometry as the first step in identifying subjects.Schwartz (i965) pointed out that small systematic errors, such as can easily result from minor differences in tonometric technique, can produce quite large variations in "positive" screening tests.When those surveys which are suspect for epidemiological purposes are eliminated, few remain. Those which may be considered acceptable place the prevalence of clinical glaucoma, defined by the presence of tension over 21 mm.Hg, cupping of the disc, and field loss, at figures for Great Britain rather below those already quoted-for example, Hollows and Graham (i 966a) 0-47 per cent., Bankes, Perkins, Tsolakis, and Wright (I968) 0 7 per cent.These surveys, all designed to produce as accurate estimates of prevalence as possible by the exercise of care in sampling, give the most reliable assessments at present available

The Effects of Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy on Quality and Quantity of Tear, Intraocular Pressure and Ocular Blood Flow

“…This result tailors with several studies reporting the mean IOP in postmenopausal women to be higher than in age-matched, still menstruating controls [55, 56, 57]. Early menopause caused by X-ray or operative sterilization has been reported to cause glaucoma [31].…”

Ocular hypertension--a long-term follow-up of treated and untreated patients.

“…For some time tonographic studies and provocative tests were regularly performed, but they were abandoned when it was recognised that these have limited-if any-prognostic value, both from our own experience and that of others (Linner and Stromberg, 1964;Armaly, 1969;Graham, 1972;Kronfeld, 1975).…”

“…Patients attending our glaucoma clinics were diagnosed as OHT if: (1) The untreated intraocular pressure is found to be 21 mmHg or more on repeated measurements with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (Graham, 1972). The mean value of 3 pressures measured within the first few weeks of the patient's presenting to hospital is referred to in this paper as 'the mean initial intraocular pressure'.…”

Prevalence of Glaucoma in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Relation to Hypertension

“…Research shows that diabetes and HT increased the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. 13,14 Several reports have demonstrated a greater frequency of primary open-angle glaucoma in diabetics as compared to nondiabetics. 15,16 Armstrong et al reported a prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma of 4.1% in diabetic patients compared with 1.4% in the controls.…”