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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1325-1328 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.141523
  • Global issues

Pseudoexfoliation in a rural Burmese population: the Meiktila Eye Study

  1. A M Abdul-Rahman1,
  2. R J Casson2,
  3. H S Newland2,
  4. J Muecke2,
  5. S McGovern2,
  6. T H Aung3,
  7. D Selva2,
  8. T Aung3
  1. 1
    Department of Ophthalmology, Middlemore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
  2. 2
    South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Adelaide, South Australia
  3. 3
    Yangon Eye Hospital, Yangon, Burma
  1. Dr A M Abdul-Rahman, Department of Ophthalmology, Manukau SuperClinic, Private Bag 98743, South Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand; anmar_rahman{at}hotmail.com
  • Accepted 16 July 2008
  • Published Online First 28 July 2008

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to report on the prevalence and correlates of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) in a rural Burmese population.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, population-based survey of the inhabitants ≥40 years in the Meiktila District. Ophthalmic examination included Snellen visual acuity, slit lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, dilated fundus examination and frequency doubling perimetry.

Results: In a population of 2076 subjects (4016 eyes) the prevalence of PXF was 3.4% (95% CI 2.14 to 4.67%; 78 eyes). Twelve eyes with PXF were blind. In the univariate analysis, PXF was associated with: increasing age, blindness (odds ratio (OR) 4, 95% CI 1.84 to 8.68; p<0.0004), increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11; p<0.00001), nuclear cataract (OR 6.92, 95% CI 2.89 to 16.59; p<0.00001), cortical cataract (OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.37 to 9.65; p<0.00001) and the presence of an occludable angle (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.13; p<0.002). In the multivariate analysis, only increasing age and IOP remained significantly associated with PXF.

Conclusions: The prevalence of PXF in the Burmese population is greater than previously reported in other East Asian populations. Increasing age and IOP are the strongest predictors of PXF, and it is associated with cataract, occludable angles and blindness.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: Ethics approval was obtained from the Royal Adelaide Hospital Ethics Committee.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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