Exfoliation syndrome as a risk factor for optic disc changes in nonglaucomatous eyes

Exfoliation syndrome as a possible risk factor for morphologic changes of the optic nerve was examined in 66 patients with unilateral exfoliation and no glaucoma. K-readings (7.74 +/- 0.3 mm and 7.75 +/- 0.3 mm), axial lengths (23.1 +/- 1.1 mm and 23.1 +/- 1.1 mm), and refraction (+ 0.9 +/- 2.3 mm and + 1.1 +/- 2.3 mm) did not differ in exfoliative and contralateral nonexfoliative eyes. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) difference, 17.2 +/- 3.3 mmHg and 15.6 +/- 3.2 mmHg, respectively, was statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). The mean visual acuity difference, 0.8 +/- 0.3 and 0.9 +/- 0.2, respectively, was significant (P < 0.05). The difference in visual acuity between the pairs of eyes was explained by the more frequent subcapsular cataract in exfoliative eyes. Lens opacity values (opacity lens meter), 27.9 +/- 8.3 and 28.0 +/- 8.4 opacity units, respectively, were similar. Disc area, neuroretinal rim area, rim/disc ratio, cup area, and cup volume values analyzed with the Imagenet (Topcon) nerve head analyzer did not differ significantly between the eyes. It was concluded that exfoliation as such does not induce optic nerve head changes but indicates a risk factor for elevated IOP and lens opacification.