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Epidemiology and screening of open-angle glaucoma
1International Glaucoma Association, King's College Hospital, London, England.
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|March 9, 1994
Summary
Early detection of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) is crucial. Combining public awareness with enhanced professional screening offers the best approach for identifying asymptomatic cases in the community.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Recent prevalence surveys for chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) have been published.
- Previous studies, like the Baltimore Eye Survey, examined disease-related blindness and racial disparities.
- Emerging diagnostic methods aim to detect visual function loss before traditional visual field defects appear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate current screening tests for COAG.
- To assess case-finding strategies in the UK.
- To identify optimal methods for detecting early, asymptomatic COAG.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent prevalence surveys and the Baltimore Eye Survey.
- Consideration of novel tests for early visual function loss detection.
- Evaluation of ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and perimetry based on UK case-finding experience.
Main Results:
- Newer tests may identify visual function loss earlier than conventional perimetry.
- Ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and perimetry are key screening tools.
- Community-based detection relies on a multi-faceted approach.
Conclusions:
- Effective COAG detection requires public awareness and patient advocacy.
- Improved glaucoma testing and case-finding by primary eye care professionals are essential.
- A combined strategy maximizes the identification of asymptomatic early COAG.