Detection of Glaucoma in a Cohort of Chinese Subjects with Systemic Hypertension

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To determine the presence and type of glaucoma in a cohort of adult Chinese subjects with systemic hypertension.

Methods.

This prospective cohort study included 200 hypertensive Chinese adults aged >40 years old who underwent screening via frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by noncontact tonometry (NCT) in a general outpatient clinic.

Those with IOP>21 mmHg and/or visual field (VF) defects on FDT were referred for complete ophthalmological examination.

The diagnosis of glaucoma was based on an abnormal VF on Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) by Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson's criteria and an increased vertical cup-disc ratio (VCDR).

Results.

The mean age of the subjects was 64.66±9.47 years, and the male:female ratio was 92 : 108.

All patients were hypertensive with a mean blood pressure (BP) of 131.1±15.1/76.6±11.1 mmHg whilst on systemic antihypertensive medication.

Of the 111 patients that had an abnormal initial screening, 14 (7.9%) were confirmed to have glaucoma with the highest prevalence of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) (6.2%), followed by primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) (1.1%) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) (0.5%).

The positive predictive value of FDT perimetry was 71%.

Conclusion.

Nearly 8% of the adults with systemic hypertension had glaucoma, and NTG was the most prevalent type.