RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Longitudinal glaucoma screening for siblings of patients with primary open angle glaucoma: the Nottingham Family Glaucoma Screening Study
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 59
OP 63
DO 10.1136/bjo.2005.072751
VO 90
IS 1
A1 V C T Sung
A1 J M Koppens
A1 S A Vernon
A1 P Pawson
A1 M Rubinstein
A1 A J King
A1 C L Tattersall
YR 2006
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/1/59.abstract
AB Aims: To assess the prevalence and cumulative incidence of open angle glaucoma (OAG) in a cohort group of siblings of OAG probands. Methods: Between 1994 and 2003, a group of siblings of OAG probands underwent both initial and follow up standardised ophthalmic examinations. Siblings were classified as “definite glaucoma” (primary OAG (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG)), “glaucoma suspects” (NTG suspects or ocular hypertension (OHT)), and normal. The prevalence and cumulative incidence of OAG over the follow up interval were calculated. Results: At the initial study, 271 siblings (mean age 63.6 years; female to male ratio 1.2) from 156 probands were examined. 32 (11.8%) were classified as definite glaucoma and 15 (5.5%) as suspects. In the follow up study, 157 of the 224 “normal” siblings from the initial study were examined (mean interval from initial study 7.0 (SD 1.0) years). 11 (7%) were classified as definite glaucoma and 30 (19.1%) as suspects. There were significant trends of increasing prevalence and incidence of OAG with age and a lifetime risk estimated at approximately 20% by age 70. Conclusion: Siblings of glaucoma patients have an increased risk of developing glaucoma and the risk increases with age. An effective and repeated screening programme should be considered for this high risk group.