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Mortality following glaucoma surgery in octogenarians with primary open angle glaucoma.
Hussain Aluzri1, Vanessa Yeo2, Kusy Suleiman2
1Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK. drhaluzri@gmail.com.
International Ophthalmology
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Glaucoma surgery in octogenarians has a high mortality rate. Pre-operative systemic conditions, not eye health, are key risk factors for mortality in elderly glaucoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Glaucoma surgery in octogenarians presents unique challenges.
- Quantifying mortality and identifying risk factors are crucial for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mortality rate after glaucoma surgery in patients aged 80 and above with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- To identify pre-operative risk factors associated with mortality in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case series of 115 patients aged 80+ undergoing glaucoma surgery.
- Data collected from January 2015 to December 2019 at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre.
Main Results:
- All-cause mortality incidence was 66.86 deaths per 1000 person-years.
- Pre-operative risk factors included age, frailty, COPD, dementia, myocardial infarction, respiratory disease, and solid tumors.
- Visual acuity was the only significant ophthalmic factor; cyclodiode laser surgery showed a higher hazard ratio.
Conclusions:
- Five-year and nine-year survival rates were 72.01% and 43.30%, respectively.
- Clinical frailty assessment is recommended for elderly patients undergoing glaucoma surgery.
- Comprehensive assessment of systemic health is vital for optimizing surgical outcomes and survival in octogenarians.
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