[Glaucoma and ocular hypertension in primary care].

OBJECTIVES

To find the distribution of intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in our population over 40 and the prevalence of glaucoma (G) and ocular hypertension (OH).

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

Primary care.

SUBJECTS

990 people >= 40 years old.Measurements. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), ophthalmic history, risk factors, visual sharpness (optotype), ophthalmoscopy and IOP (applanation tonometry). Patients with back-of-eye disorders and/or IOP >= 21 mmHg were referred to the ophthalmologist for assessment (campimeter).

RESULTS

870 people, average age 54.66 and 45.4% of them men. Mean IOP was 12.96 in the right eye and 13.27 in the left, with significant differences between them, but not between sexes or age-groups. 70 patients were referred (11 for IOP >= 21, 54 for disturbance perceived by ophthalmoscope and 5 for both reasons). The ophthalmologist classified 9 as G, 12 as OH and 15 as suspected G. We calculated 1.81% (95% CI, 0.98-2.63) prevalence of G in the >= 40s, including 9 cases already known. OH prevalence was 1.61% (95% CI, 0.82-2.39). Through logistical regression, we found greater risk of G in people with myopia (OR adjusted for age and sex = 3.01) and Hypertriglyceridaemia (ORa, 6.34). OH risk was significantly greater in patients with BMI >= 30 (ORa, >= 4.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Glaucoma prevalence confirms published findings from other similar populations, while IOP and OH prevalence were much less here. Given that half G cases are undiagnosed, we believe its early detection in primary care should be highlighted, at least in at-risk groups.