Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of
glaucoma and ocular hypertension in the population of Wroclaw.
Material and
methods: The study group was representative for Wroclaw population and
consisted of 2591 subjects. The structure of study group, which according to
age and gender corresponded with Wroclaw population was prepared by Main
Department of Statistics (Główny Urząd Statystyczny – GUS). Subjects were
randomly selected from the PESEL base (Personal Identification Number Base) of
Wroclaw inhabitants by Centre of Informatics of the Board of Lower Silesia
Voivodenship according to algorithm of selection. During the first stage of
survey we carried out: optic nerve head (ONH) examination in Volk lens and using confocal laser scanning
ophthalmoscopy (HRT - Heidelberg Retina
Tomography) (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH), measurement of retinal
nerve fibre layer (RNFL) with the use of the nerve fibres analyser (GDx) (Laser Diagnostic Technologist) and
intraocular pressure measurement.
The second stage of survey, which included subjects with intraocular
pressure over 21 mmHg or changes in the ONH examination or abnormal result of
RNFL measurements by GDx, consisted of the full clinical examination including
gonioscopy, 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure and static perimetry by
OCTOPUS 101 G2 test.
Results: The prevalence of different types of glaucoma (POAG, PACG, NTG,
SG) in studied group was 1.70% and in respective age groups as follows: 40-49
years – 0.5%, 50-59 years – 1.57%, 60-69 years – 2.35%, 70-79 years – 4.1%. The
prevalence of intraocular hypertension in the examined group was 1.4%.
Conclusions: The present results of glaucoma epidemiological survey
assessing prevalence of glaucoma and its types in different age groups
correspond with the results of other epidemiological surveys carried out in the
world on Caucasian populations.