[Prevalence of chronic open-angle glaucoma in a county in Tunis]

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of open angle glaucoma in a population aged 40 years and more living in a county in Tunis (Bardo).

All subjects were examined according to the same protocol, which included applanation tonometry, examination of the anterior chambre and the optic disc. Goldmann and/or oculokinetic perimetry were performed in subjects with high intraocular pressure (22 mmHg or more) cup to disc ratio of 0.4 or more, optic disc palor, nasal deviation of vessels, presence of hemorhhage of the optic disc. Open angle glaucoma was defined by the presence of any two or all three of the following: high intraocular pressure, glaucomatous visual field defects, and the optic disc changes described above. In cases of denses media opacities the open angle glaucoma was defined when the intraocular pressure was more than 30 mmHg.

The prevalence of open angle glaucoma in the 856 subjects was 2.68%. The prevalence increased with age: 0.54% in people 40 to 50 years, 1.71% in people 51 to 65 years and 50.63% in people 65 years or older. Glaucoma was unknown in 91% of the glaucomatous patients screened, and 30.4% had advanced glaucoma.

The prevalence of open angle glaucoma in our study is slightly higher or similar to that in other white populations but lower than that reported in black populations.