Abstract

Aims: To report the prevalence and correlates of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) in central, rural Sri Lanka.

Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional ophthalmic survey of inhabitants 40 years of age and over from villages in the Kandy District was conducted. Selection was randomised using a cluster sampling process. 1721 eligible participants were identified, 1375 participated. A detailed ophthalmic history and examination including ocular biometry was made of each participant.

Results: The prevalence of XFS was estimated to be 1.1% (95% CI 0.5 to 1.5%; 22 eyes). XFS was bilateral in eight subjects, unilateral in six subjects. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between XFS and increasing age (p<0.001), increasing intraocular pressure (odds ratio 1.2; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.27; p<0.001), nuclear cataracts (odds ratio 1.92; 95% CI 1.47 to 2.51; p<0.001), visual impairment (odds ratio 9.72; 95% CI 3.01 to 31.44; p<0.001) and a history of hypertension (odds ratio 3.89; 95% CI 1.14 to 13.16; p = 0.030).

Conclusion: XFS in this Sri Lankan population was associated with advanced age, raised intraocular pressure, nuclear cataracts, hypertension and visual impairment.