The Barbados Eye Study. Prevalence of open angle glaucoma

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
• Population-based studies are crucial for understanding disease prevalence and risk factors in diverse ethnic groups.
• Previous research has indicated a higher predisposition to OAG in individuals of African descent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in a predominantly Black population in Barbados.
• To describe the design and methodology of the Barbados Eye Study.
• To identify demographic and age-related variations in OAG prevalence.

Main Methods:

• A population-based prevalence study involving a simple random sample of Barbadian-born citizens aged 40-84.
• Comprehensive eye examinations including automated perimetry, applanation tonometry, and fundus photography.
• Ophthalmologic examinations and additional tests for referred participants and a 10% sample.

Main Results:

• The study included 4709 participants, with demographic characteristics similar to the general population.
• The prevalence of OAG was 7.0% in Black participants, increasing significantly with age, reaching 12% in those 60 and older.
• OAG prevalence was higher in men (8.3%) than in women (5.7%), with a higher prevalence observed in mixed-race individuals compared to white or other groups.

Conclusions:

• The Barbados Eye Study is the largest glaucoma study in a Black population to date, identifying a high prevalence of OAG.
• OAG prevalence increases substantially with age, particularly in individuals over 70 years old.
• The findings highlight the critical public health importance of OAG in the Afro-Caribbean region and inform strategies for other populations.