For many years the exfoliation syndrome (XFS) was thought of as a rather
rare condition confined to some few limited geographical areas. To day, however,
the occurrence of this syndrome
has been reported from all over the world. This will be shown by summarizing
both frequency and prevalence studies presented over the last decade. The
prevalence of XFS in the
population is increasing with age in elderly people. The syndrome represents an
interesting biological phenomenon which will seriously challenge basic
scientists in the years to come. More relevant for the patients, however, are
the many clinical implications of this syndrome: Up to 30 % of XFS-positive
persons develop glaucoma. On the other hand, the prevalence of XFS vary from
one geographical area to another, and so does the capsular glaucoma. In
addition, may be the syndrome’s ability to promote glaucoma is different from
one population to the other. In many countries the capsular glaucoma makes up
some 60 % of the total glaucoma population. Some relationship has also been reported between XFS,
cataract development, and central retinal vein occlusion. Finally, despite
marked systemic affection in XFS-positive persons, no association has been
found between the presence of ocular XFS and mortality in population-based
studies.