Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma: Always actual problem in ophthalmology

Abstract

Introduction: Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is not only an ocular disease but also a general disorder that involves the abnormal production and disposal of extracellular matrix material in intra-and extraocular tissues. Intraocular pressure (IOP) of the pseudoexfoliative eyes is higher than IOP of the nonpseudoexfoliative eyes which leads to more severe eye damage during longer period of time. Glaucoma in the pseudoexfoliation syndrome has been shown to have a more serious clinical course than in primary open-angle glaucoma. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the presence and frequency of capsular glaucoma compared to other types of glaucoma among patients examined in one month period and in total number of glaucoma operated patients during last year. Materials and methods: Our study involved 105 patients examined and diagnosed in November 2016 and 346 glaucoma patients operated between January and October 2016 at Clinic for eye diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia. Methods used in examination and monitoring of patients were: biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, computerized perimetry, ophthalmoscopy, gonioscopy and Heidelberg Retinal Tomography II. Results: Although the frequency of capsular glaucoma in our sample was more common in women 14 (13.4 %) compared to men 11 (10.4 %), statistically significant difference related to sex was not observed (p = 0.352). Binocular expression was 3.7 times more often than monocular in women and 1.7 times in men. Among glaucoma operated patients, capsular glaucoma was found in 94 (27.2 %) cases, which leads to conclusion that every fourth patient operated last year had this type of glaucoma. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study it can be concluded that capsular glaucoma, as the most important ocular manifestation of PEX syndrome, shows high frequency in our population. Careful clinical examination should be performed in patients over the age of 50 due to the importance of early recognition and appropriate management of pseudoexfoliative material in the eye.