Author:

Abstract

Introduction: Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) is a secondary, open angle glaucoma, subject to wide geographical variation. It is a progressive disease without cure, and treatment is directed at control of intraocular hypertension.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and icharacteristics and to evaluate the hypotensive response to differing types of treatment, on pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG).

Methods: The study consists of 342 patients with PXG, detected among a 2083 glaucoma clinic population, during a five year period. Clinical features were recorded and patients subjected to initial medical therapy. The non-responders at the end of 12 to 16 weeks of treatment had trabeculectomy (n=42) or combination of trabeculectomy, lens extraction and intraocular lens implant - triple procedure (n=145).

Results: The prevalence of PXG in the glaucoma population was 16.4%. Notable features were: high incidence of unilaterality (71.6%) and lens opacification (60%). The success rate of treatment (restoration of normal intraocular pressure) at the end of 12 to 16 months oftreatment were as follows: medical 21%, triple procedure 61%, and trabeculectomy 80% (p < 0.001). Postoperative complications were high in triple procedure due to associated cataract extraction (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The prevalence of PXG was relatively high. Trabeculectomy offers the best results.

Studies are required to portray the cause of the disease, to effect cure and or arrest its progression.

Keywords: Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), Open angle glaucoma, Intraocular hypertension