Purpose: To examine factors associated with use of glaucoma medications in a population of older people.
Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 people aged 49-97 years. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire which included information on current medication use. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) was diagnosed if matching glaucomatous visual field defects and optic disc cupping were present. Ocular hypertension (OH) was diagnosed in subjects without glaucomatous disc and field changes who had an intraocular pressure (IOP) of > or = 22 mmHg in either eye or who had lower IOP levels but reported treatment with glaucoma medication.
Results: Use of glaucoma medication was reported by 3.3% of persons in this population (119/3644), including 44% of OAG and 28% of OH cases. Among newly diagnosed OAG and OH cases, 30% had never visited an ophthalmologist. Factors associated with a previous diagnosis of OAG or OH in a multivariate model included use of one or more general medications (OR 7.5; 95% CI 2.5-22.9), a history of other eye disease (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.9-6.2) and first-degree family history of glaucoma (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.8-7.2).
Conclusions: Glaucoma screening may need to target individuals with OAG risk factors who are less likely to visit a general practitioner or ophthalmologist.