Exploring association between pseudoexfoliation syndrome and ocular aging

Abstract

Purpose Within a population-based follow-up study, to examine the 10-year incidence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), possible risk factors for PEX and its association with ocular aging of the cornea, lens and retina. Methods The baseline examination was conducted in 2006 on a random sample of 1,033 adult participants from Kaunas city (Lithuania) population of whom 631 had ophthalmic examination data at attendance of the 10-year follow-up in 2016. Detailed examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye was carried out. After diagnostic mydriasis PEX was diagnosed by the presence of typical grayish-white exfoliation material on the anterior capsule surface of the lens. The participants were divided to PEX and non-PEX groups. Results PEX prevalence increased from 9.8 to 34.2% from baseline to 10-year follow-up. Nuclear cataract was common both in the PEX group (66.7%) and in those without PEX (72.2%), but this difference did not reach statistically significantly increased risk of developing cataract in those with PEX (OR 1.2; p = 0.61). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was thinner in the PEX group (529 ± 34 μm) and in the oldest group (525 ± 36 μm) (p < 0.001). Compared to baseline, corneal curvature (CC) became flatter in both groups (7.6 ± 0.27 vs 7.7 ± 0.26 mm; p < 0.001) during the follow-up, but the difference did not reach significance between groups. Corneal astigmatism was most commonly with-the-rule in both groups (37 (50.0%) vs 148 (68.5%); p > 0.05). Age, sex and PEX had no influence on age-related macular degeneration distribution. Conclusion The prevalence of PEX increased significantly with age in our population, with those with PEX having thinner and flatter corneae, but no difference in cataract and age-related macular degeneration characteristics.

Pseudoexfoliative Syndrome in Cataract Surgery—A Quality Register Study and Health Economic Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

“…Our findings are consistent with previous research, which has demonstrated an age-related increase in the occurrence of cataracts among individuals with PEX syndrome [ 5 , 9 ]. The prevalence was only 0.4% in patients under 50 years of age and 82% in patients over 70 years.…”

“…While PEX syndrome occurs worldwide, its prevalence significantly varies among different geographic regions and different ethnic groups. It is more common in Scandinavian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern countries (with a prevalence between 16% and 30%), and less common among the Inuit populations in Greenland, Alaska, and Canada (with a prevalence of 0%) [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

MicroRNA analysis of the lens capsule in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation cataract in the Indian population

“…XFS is an age-related disorder characterized by an excess of extracellular matrix, particularly in ocular tissues. 2,24,25 . Patients with XFS have a higher chance of converting ocular hypertension to glaucoma resulting in optic disc damage and hence a larger percentage of blindness 5 .…”