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Abstract #6590 Published in IGR 4-1

Glaucoma in Zulus: a population-based cross-sectional survey in a rural district in South Africa

Rotchford AP; Johnson GJ
Archives of Ophthalmology 2002; 120: 471-478


OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and main types of glaucoma in a representative adult population in rural Zululand, and to describe the distribution of glaucoma-related variables in healthy subjects and those with glaucoma. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Hlabisa district, Northern KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: Resident individuals of Zulu ethnic origin, 40 years or older. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glaucoma was diagnosed by means of strict objective criteria, based on binocular indirect ophthalmoscopic optic disc appearances validated by results of disc photography and threshold visual field testing. RESULTS: From an eligible sample of 1115 subjects, 1005 (90.1%) were examined in the survey. The adjusted prevalence of glaucoma of all types was 4.5%, and primary open-angle glaucoma accounted for 2.7%. Secondary glaucoma occurred with an adjusted prevalence of 1.7%, of which the principal contributors were exfoliative and aphakic glaucoma. The prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma was low. Normal tension (intraocular pressure, ≤ 21 mmHg) was measured in 16 (57.1%) of 28 cases of primary open-angle glaucoma. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness was 3.2%, which was exclusively due to glaucoma in nine (22.0%) of 41 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Primary and secondary glaucoma constitute a significant public health problem in rural Zululand. The prevalence and types of glaucoma vary among different black populations.

Dr. A.P. Rotchford, International Centre for Eye Health, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK. rotchford@supanet.com


Classification:

1.1 Epidemiology (Part of: 1 General aspects)



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