Pseudoexfoliation in a Rural Burmese Population: The Meiktila Eye Study
- Anmar M Abdul-rahman (anmar_rahman{at}hotmail.com),
- Robert J Casson (robert.casson{at}adelaide.edu.au),
- Henry S Newland (henry.newland{at}adelaide.edu.au),
- James S Mueke (jsmuecke{at}bigpond.com),
- Steven T Mcgovern (steve.mcgovern{at}adelaide.edu.au),
- Than H Aung (thanaung{at}hotmail.com),
- Dinesh N Selva (dinesh.selva{at}adelaide.edu.au),
- Than Aung (taung{at}yahoo.com)
- Middlemore Hospital, New Zealand
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Adelaide, Australia
- Yangon Eye Hospital, Myanmar
- South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Australia
- Yangon Eye Hospital, Myanmar
- Published Online First 28 July 2008
Abstract
Aims: To report the prevalence and correlates of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) in a rural Burmese population.
Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based survey of the inhabitants 40 years of age and over in the Meiktila District. Ophthalmic examination included Snellen visual acuity, slit lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, dilated fundus examination and full-threshold perimetry.Frequency Doubling Perimetry.
Results: In a population of 2076 subjects (4016 eyes) the prevalence of PXF was 3.4% (95% Confidence interval (CI) 2.14 - 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 - 8.68, p<0.0004), increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.11, p<0.00001), nuclear cataract (OR 6.92, 95% CI 2.89-16.59, p<0.00001), cortical cataract (OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.37 - 9.65, p<0.00001), and the presence of an occludable angle (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.52 – 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.
