Intraocular pressure and progression in exfoliative eyes with ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was conducted in exfoliative eyes in order to study the influence of IOP and other possible factors on the conversion from ocular hypertension (OHT) to glaucoma and progression of glaucoma.

METHODS

139 patients with exfoliation OHT or glaucoma with exfoliation syndrome were included (mean follow-up 5.2 +/- 3.6 years). The effects of age, gender, weighted mean IOP, maximum IOP, stage of glaucoma at the first visit, refraction, glaucoma medication, and interventions on the hazard of progression were studied by multivariate survival analysis.

RESULTS

Conversion from OHT to glaucoma or progression of glaucoma was detected in 63 eyes (45.3%). A significant association with progression was found for age (relative risk 1.042; p-value 0.043), weighted mean IOP (1.076; <0.001), and stage of glaucoma (1.436; <0.001). History of trabeculectomy (0.360; 0.002) related to a decreased risk.

CONCLUSION

The risk of conversion from OHT to glaucoma and progression of glaucoma increased in exfoliative eyes with severity of stage of glaucoma, weighted mean IOP, and the age of the patient. A history of trabeculectomy was related to decreased risk of progression.