Screening relatives of patients with familial chronic open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To describe the value and the results of screening of family members of individuals with familial chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) for the disease.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of families with COAG.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-six individuals from 15 families with COAG.

TESTING

Complete ophthalmologic examinations, automated perimetry, and optic nerve photography.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Disease status as glaucoma patient (at least two of three parameters abnormal: intraocular pressure, visual field, or disc appearance), glaucoma suspect (one of three parameters abnormal), or normal.

RESULTS

Twenty-six relatives were diagnosed with COAG. The diagnosis was most frequently made on the basis of intraocular pressure readings and automated perimetry. Twenty-three relatives were classified as glaucoma suspects; automated perimetry was the most useful modality for the detection of abnormalities in these individuals. Siblings of COAG patients had the highest risk of COAG developing (64.7%) compared with children (13.2%) or other blood relatives (22.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

When COAG is present in more than one family member, immediate and other relatives should be evaluated for glaucoma by means of clinical examination and automated perimetry.