Preoperative features of patients with exfoliation glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma. The AHEPA study.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare the preoperative characteristics of Greek patients with exfoliation glaucoma (EXG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHODS

We prospectively investigated the preoperative features of 100 consecutive patients undergoing filtration surgery for either EXG, or POAG. We compared 74 patients with EXG and 26 with POAG.

RESULTS

EXG patients were older (68.2 vs 62.4 years; p<0.05) and more often from the countryside (73%). Both glaucomas showed a preponderance for males, similar frequencies of positive family history and systemic disorders, with the exception of diabetes which was more common in POAG (19.2% vs 5.4%). The first IOP measurement, before treatment, was significantly higher in EXG (40.4 mm Hg) compared with POAG (33.9 mm Hg). Despite a shorter duration of medical therapy (25 vs 65 months) and more topical drugs EXG patients exhibited higher mean preoperative IOP (36 vs 27.8 mm Hg for POAG; p<0.05). EXG patients had significantly worse visual acuity than POAG (0.4 vs 0.6; p<0.05) and worse compliance to medical therapy (48%) compared to POAG (33%).

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in preoperative features distinguish EXG from POAG.