[The survey of anterior chamber angle in a population of middle and old age].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the condition of anterior chamber angle in a population of middle and old age, and afford data for screening of angle closure glaucoma.

METHODS

Two hundred people aged 50 years or older were selected by random sampling in four districts of Doumen county. The anterior chamber angle of all people was evaluated by Goldmann one-mirror gonioscope, and the angle was graded according to the Spaeth and Shaffer's grading system.

RESULTS

Three hundred ninety eyes were examined, 12% (inferior angle) to 30% (superior angle) were Shaffer's grade <or= 2. 11.3% (inferior) to 26.4% (superior) were anterior bowing of the peripheral portion of the iris, 27.7% (inferior) to 42.6% (superior) were iris insertion into seleral spur. The three aspects of the angle had significant differences in sex and age.

CONCLUSION

The survey shows that the percentage of people with occludable angles increases significantly with age, and women with occludable angles are more than men. This result is important for us to make screening strategy of primary angle-closure glaucoma.