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. 2015 May 30;2(7):765-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.05.024. eCollection 2015 Jul.

Ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome and life span

Jon Klokk Slettedal  1 , Leiv Sandvik  2 , Amund Ringvold  3
Affiliations

Ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome and life span

Jon Klokk Slettedal et al. EBioMedicine. .

Abstract

Background: To compare life span of persons with and without ocular pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES).

Methods: The study is based on an epidemiological survey conducted in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway, in 1985-86. All inhabitants over 64 years of age (2109 individuals) were invited. Mortality information was obtained from The Norwegian Institute of Public Health in 2014, by which time 99% of the participants were deceased.

Results: When adjusting for age and gender, life span was not statistically different in persons with and without PES. Following the diagnosis of PES, patients' survival was up to, and beyond, 30 years.

Conclusions: Our observations suggest that, despite all the systemic aberrations reported in persons with ocular PES, none or only marginal functional changes are caused in extraocular organs and tissues. The present study supports the notion that systemic PES is not a life-threatening condition.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Eye; Life span; Mortality; Ophthalmology; Pseudoexfoliation syndrome; Survey.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Bar chart showing median life length in PES-negative and PES-positive age groups by 01.10.2014, i.e. 29 years after examination. The differences are not statistically significant.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan–Meier plots showing survival function of PES-negative and PES-positive persons in the age groups (a) 65–69 years, (b) 70–74 years, (c) 75–79 years, (d) 80–84 years, (e) 85–89 years, and (f) 90–98 years at time of examination (1985–1986). n denotes the number of persons at risk at the time points indicated. The differences between the two curves are not statistically significant.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Kaplan–Meier plots showing survival function of PES-negative and PES-positive persons in the age groups (a) 65–69 years, (b) 70–74 years, (c) 75–79 years, (d) 80–84 years, (e) 85–89 years, and (f) 90–98 years at time of examination (1985–1986). n denotes the number of persons at risk at the time points indicated. The differences between the two curves are not statistically significant.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Bar chart showing median life length in 221 not-examined persons (blue) versus 1888 examined persons (green) by 01.10.2014, i.e. 29 years after the files were collected. The two youngest age groups of the not-examined population (65–69; p < 0.03, and 70–74; p < 0.023) showed slightly reduced life length.
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