The incidence of primary angle-closure glaucoma in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Arch Ophthalmol. 1997 Feb;115(2):177-81. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1997.01100150179005.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the incidence of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and to assess the visual outcomes of patients treated for PACG.

Design: Population-based retrospective incidence study.

Setting and patients: Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 40 years and older and diagnosed with PACG in the 13-year period between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1992.

Main outcome measure: Incident cases of PACG identified through the Medical Diagnostic Index of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, and the Rochester Epidemiology Project.

Results: Thirty-six incident cases were identified. The mean annual age-and sex-adjusted incidence per 100000 people aged 40 years and older was 8.3 (95% confidence interval, 5.6-11.0). The probability of monocular blindness associated with PACG at the time of diagnosis was 14%. Among patients not monocularly blind at diagnosis, the 5-year probability of developing monocular blindness associated with PACG was 4%.

Conclusions: Primary angle-closure glaucoma is an uncommon disease in our community. Most of the patients blinded by PACG were blind at the time the condition was diagnosed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / epidemiology*
  • Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / physiopathology
  • Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / surgery
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Iris / surgery
  • Laser Therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minnesota / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Acuity / physiology