Epidemiology and screening of open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Two major prevalence surveys for chronic open-angle glaucoma have been published in the last year. These are discussed in relation to the comprehensive Baltimore Eye Survey of 2 years ago, which also studied the blindness arising from the disease and comparative figures for white and black individuals. The newer tests for identification of loss of visual function prior to visual field loss as demonstrated by conventional automated perimetry are considered. The three main screening tests for chronic open-angle glaucoma--ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and perimetry--are evaluated in the light of case finding experience in the United Kingdom. The maximum detection of asymptomatic early chronic open-angle glaucoma in the community is likely to be best achieved by a combination of public awareness of glaucoma aided by patient-based associations and the promotion of improved glaucoma testing and case finding by the army of professionals who are already in place in most developed countries and who carry out primary eye examinations.