Frequency of exfoliation syndrome in Greek cataract patients

The frequency of exfoliation syndrome (EXS) was investigated in a group of Greek patients undergoing extracapsular cataract surgery. Five hundred and nine (509) consecutive cataract patients without any other manifest ocular abnormality were prospectively examined for the presence of EXS. Patients were clinically divided into 3 groups: group I (EXS group) consisted of patients in whom exfoliation material deposition could be seen; Group II (possible EXS group) comprised patients who demonstrated a number of pigmentary signs and group III (normal subjects) comprised patients with senile cataract and no sign of EXS. EXS was found in 140 (28%) of our patients, possible EXS in 119 (23%) and the rest (49%) had no evidence of EXS. Patients with EXS were older (mean age 73.8) when compared to the possible EXS group (70 years) and the control group (64.7 years). The IOP was significantly higher in patients with EXS (mean 15.5 mmHg versus 14.3 mmHg in the other two groups). Blue irides were significantly more common in patients with EXS (19%) than in the possible EXS group (14%) and the controls (4%). EXS is common in Greek cataract patients and this study has identified a large group of patients who may be at an early stage of development of the condition. EXS may predispose to the development of cataract in Greek patients.