PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D and glaucoma. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included subjects who underwent a health screening at the Health Screening Center of Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from August 2012 to July 2013. All fundus photographs were reviewed by ophthalmologists. The ophthalmologists determined if an eye was glaucomatous based on the criteria set forth by the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology and by the appearance of the retinal nerve fiber layer and optic disc. If the subjects previously underwent an ophthalmologic examination, they were enrolled based on the documented history. In addition to fundus photographs, each participant underwent a systemic examination including blood sampling and sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires. The subjects were divided into five groups according to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to assess possible associations between elevated glaucoma risk and systemic factors with a p < 0.2 on univariate analysis. RESULTS: Of the 169,208 subjects older than 20 years, 123,331 were eligible for the study. There was no difference in the prevalence of glaucoma according to quintile of serum 25(OH)D level based on sex (p = 0.412 for males, p = 0.169 for females). According to the multivariable-adjusted logistic analysis, the odds ratio of glaucoma for the fourth quintile was significantly lower than that of the first quintile in females (odds ratio, 0.713; 95% confidence interval, 0.520 to 0.979). CONCLUSIONS: Lower 25(OH)D level was significantly associated with an elevated risk of glaucoma in females compared with higher 25(OH)D level. Further evaluation is needed to investigate the relationship between glaucoma and vitamin D.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma/diagnosis/*epidemiology/etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Optic Disk/diagnostic imaging ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin D/*blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency/blood/complications/*epidemiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between vision-related quality of life (QOL) and integrated binocular visual field (IVF) defect and the difference in QOL based on the location of visual field defects in Korean normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. METHODS: Two hundred monocular visual fields from 100 patients diagnosed with normal tension glaucoma in at least one eye were integrated using the best location method, and the mean deviation (MD) of whole, superior, and inferior IVF was calculated. We analyzed the correlations between subscales of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25) and each calculated MD using Spearman correlation. After adjusting for confounding factors of age, visual acuity of the better eye, number of medications, and education level, the impact of IVF loss on the composite score of the NEI VFQ-25 was evaluated using multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The MDs of whole and inferior IVF were significantly associated with 7 of 12 NEI VFQ-25 subscales, and the superior IVF was associated with 3 subscales (p < 0.05). After adjusting confounding variables, the composite score of the NEI VFQ-25 showed significant correlation with whole, superior, and inferior IVF. The adjusted R2 and beta coefficient of the regression line were highest in the whole IVF (Adjusted R2 = 0.451, beta = 1.12), followed by the inferior and superior IVF (Adjusted R2 = 0.438, 0.395, beta = 0.95, 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The IVF of Korean NTG patients can effectively reflect patient QOL, and the inferior IVF was significantly associated with more subscales of NEI VFQ-25 than was the superior IVF. However, overall QOL of patients is thought to be determined by severity of visual field loss rather than its location.
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Education ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; National Eye Institute (U.S.) ; Quality of Life* ; Telescopes* ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields*

This study was done to report the epidemiologic characteristics of medical retirement from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army due to visual impairment and to suggest a practical screening system for the draft. The medical records of 423 eyes of 301 patients who retired from the ROK Army due to visual impairment were reviewed retrospectively between January 2010 and December 2014. The patients were grouped by the presence of trauma, and each group was subdivided by military rank. We analyzed demographic and ophthalmic data, including the etiology of ophthalmologic disease. The etiology was classified into 5 anatomical categories (ocular surface, lens, retina, optic nerve and extraocular visual pathway, and extraocular muscle and orbit), which were then subdivided into the type of disease. The mean age was 24.5 years, and non-traumatic mechanisms accounted for 81.1% (343/423 eyes) of medical retirements. Visual acuity was better in patients without trauma. In enlisted soldiers, disease in the optic nerve and extraocular visual pathway was the most common anatomical category (40.5%), and primary open angle glaucoma (30.8%), retinal dystrophy (18.3%), congenital cataract (14.5%), and retinal detachment (9.7%) were the four most common diseases. Most medical retirements due to visual impairment resulted from non-traumatic mechanisms, even though patients were young. The fundus examination and visual field test would be more useful tools than a conventional vision test for large-scale draft screening for the most common two disease types: primary open angle glaucoma and retinal dystrophy.
Adult ; Cataract/epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Military Personnel ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retinal Dystrophies/epidemiology ; *Retirement ; Retrospective Studies ; Vision Disorders/epidemiology/*pathology ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To assess the relationships between optic cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) and age, sex, and other demographic and health characteristics in the healthy Korean population. METHODS: The study design was retrospective and population-based. A total of 28,377 subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2008 and 2011 were enrolled in this study. Participants underwent structured interviews as well as systemic and ophthalmic examinations. Patients with glaucoma who were diagnosed using the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology classification were excluded. Changes in vertical CDR were examined by age in relation to systemic variables on multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean vertical CDR was 0.34 +/- 0.12. The vertical CDR increased with age from subjects in their 20s to those in their 80s (p < 0.001). The mean CDR in males was significantly higher than that of females (p < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis, the vertical CDR was positively associated with age (p < 0.001), male sex (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.009), and intraocular pressure (p < 0.001) but was negatively associated with body mass index (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Greater vertical CDR was related to age, male sex, higher diastolic blood pressure, higher intraocular pressure, and lower body mass index in healthy Koreans.
Age Distribution ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Glaucoma/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Humans ; *Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Morbidity/trends ; Optic Disk/*pathology ; Optic Nerve Diseases/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; *Population Surveillance ; Reference Values ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Tonometry, Ocular

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors for initial central scotoma (ICS) compared with initial peripheral scotoma (IPS) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Fifty-six NTG patients (56 eyes) with an ICS and 103 NTG patients (103 eyes) with an IPS were included. Retrospectively, the differences were assessed between the two groups for baseline characteristics, ocular factors, systemic factors, and lifestyle factors. Also, the mean deviation of visual field was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients from both ICS and IPS groups were of similar age, gender, family history of glaucoma, and follow-up periods. Frequency of disc hemorrhage was significantly higher among patients with ICS than in patients with IPS. Moreover, systemic risk factors such as hypotension, migraine, Raynaud's phenomenon, and snoring were more prevalent in the ICS group than in the IPS group. There were no statistical differences in lifestyle risk factors such as smoking or body mass index. Pattern standard deviation was significantly greater in the ICS group than in the IPS group, but the mean deviation was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: NTG Patients with ICS and IPS have different profiles of risk factors and clinical characteristics. This suggests that the pattern of initial visual field loss may be useful to identify patients at higher risk of central field loss.
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; *Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma/*complications/diagnosis/physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Optic Disk/*pathology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment/*methods ; Risk Factors ; Scotoma/diagnosis/*epidemiology/etiology ; Visual Fields/*physiology

BACKGROUNDThe extent of our knowledge of the epidemiology of pediatric glaucoma in China is limited. To better characterize the epidemiology of pediatric glaucoma in eastern China, we report the clinical profile, etiologies, and treatment modalities in patients <18 years of age in Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital.

METHODSThe medical records of patients presenting glaucoma between January 2003 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic characteristics, the proportion of different glaucoma subtypes and surgical precedures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 1 142 eyes of 734 pediatric patients (500 males) were included. Congenital glaucoma was the leading subtype, accounting for 47.55% of all patients. The ratio of boys to girls was 2.5:1. Patients with congenital glaucoma affecting both eyes accounted for 72.5% of all patients examined. Patients with primary juvenile glaucoma were the second most common group (n = 125, 17.03%). Traumatic glaucoma was the third most common subtype (n = 81, 11.03%). The type of surgery was related to the subtype of glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONSCongenital glaucoma, primary juvenile glaucoma, and traumatic glaucoma are the most prevalent subtypes in pediatric glaucoma patients in Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. The characteristics of congenital glaucoma in China are similar to those in Western countries.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Glaucoma ; epidemiology ; Hospitals ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Glaucoma, Neovascular ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Retinal Diseases ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; surgery

This study examined the prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) among residents aged ≥50 years living in Yongchuan district of Chongqing. Stratified cluster sampling was employed in random selection to estimate the prevalence of glaucoma from April to June, 2005. Twenty-nine villages or neighborhood communities were randomly selected in urban area (Zhongshan Road), suburban area (Shanjiao Town) and exurban area (Zhutuo Town) of this district. All the respondents underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations. The examinations included questionnaire investigation, visual acuity test, naked-eye examination, measurement of peripheral anterior chamber depth (Van Herrick's technique), detection of intraocluar pressure (IOP) with a Perkins hand-held applanation tonometer (HA-2) and examination of the optic disc by using a 78 diopters (D) lens (including the cup-disc ratio, cup/disc ratio asymmetries, horizontal and vertical diameter, notching and optic disc hemorrhages). A total of 5938 residents were actually examined, and the response rate was 85.19%. The crude prevalence of POAG was 0.86% (n=51/5938, 95% CI 0.64%-1.11%). There were 24 males and 27 females in the glaucoma group. The glaucoma prevalence was not significant different in case number between the male and female subjects (P=0.4900). Furthermore, no association between age or schooling and POAG was noted (P=0.8030, 0.0734). Out of 51 subjects with POAG, unilateral glaucoma-related blindness occurred in 38 subjects (74.5%) and bilateral glaucoma-related blindness was found in 7 subjects (13.7%). This study exhibited that the prevalence of POAG was 0.86% among residents aged ≥50 years living in Yongchuan District of Chongqing. The vision loss caused by POAG in this population was obviously higher than that previously reported in other studies. Glaucoma management, detection of affected persons and handling of the burden of glaucoma should be the priorities of the agenda of local health authorities of Western China.
Aged ; Blindness ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Gonioscopy ; methods ; Health Surveys ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vision Disorders ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDAssessment of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is essential for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma. Knowledge of normal optic disc topography provides a benchmark for evaluating glaucomatous pathologic changes, especially in its early stages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and correlation factors of the optic disc parameters using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT II) in a large sample of normal eyes of adult Chinese subjects.

METHODSDisc data were obtained from 6 830 subjects aged >30 years from the Handan Eye Study. All participants underwent comprehensive eye examinations and physical examinations. The associations of gender, age, body mass index, blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio; refractive error, intraocular pressure, axial length, and disc area were assessed using simple and multiple regression analysis. The correlation between HRT II parameters was evaluated.

RESULTSOf the 7 557 eligible subjects, 6 830 took part in the study (90.4% response rate) and 2 633 normal eyes with good-quality HRT II images were selected. The mean disc area was 2.28 mm(2) (standard deviation (SD) 0.43) and mean neural rim area was 1.80 mm(2) (SD 0.29). In multiple regression analysis, optic disc area significantly correlated with age, gender, and axial length (P < 0.001). All optic disc parameters showed a significant correlation with disc area (0.054

CONCLUSIONSThe optic disc area in rural Chinese population is larger than reported in white and Japanese populations, similar to that of Indian population and urban Chinese population. Most optic disc measurements were moderately or weakly affected by disc area. In addition to the RNFL, there may be other factors affecting the rim area. The relationship between optic disc and axial length may suggest a link between larger disc area, thinning of the lamina cribrosa, and increased glaucoma susceptibility in myopic eyes.

Adult ; Female ; Glaucoma ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myopia ; epidemiology ; Optic Disk ; anatomy & histology

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of visual field deterioration in contralateral eyes of patients with worsening open-angle glaucoma and to evaluate the spatial concordance of visual field deterioration between both eyes. METHODS: One hundred sixteen open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent 8 or more visual field examinations over > or =6 years of follow-up were included. The rates of the fast and slow components of visual field decay for each of 52 visual field test locations were calculated with point-wise exponential regression analysis. The spatial concordance of visual field deterioration in contralateral eyes was evaluated with a concordance ratio (calculated as the number of overlapping locations divided by the total number of deteriorating locations) and by comparing the rate of decay in corresponding modified glaucoma hemifield test clusters. RESULTS: The average visual field mean deviation (+/-standard deviation [SD]) was -8.5 (+/-6.4) dB and the mean (+/-SD) follow-up time was 9.0 (+/-1.6) years. Sixty-three patients had mild damage, 23 had moderate damage, and 30 had severe damage. The mean concordance ratio (+/-SD) was 0.46 (+/-0.32) for the mild group, 0.33 (+/-0.27) for the moderate group, and 0.35 (+/-0.21) for the severe group. Thirty-one patients (27%) had deterioration in concordant locations (p < 0.05). Visual field deterioration was greater in the superior hemifield than the inferior hemifield (p < 0.05) when evaluated with both the concordance ratio and modified glaucoma hemifield test cluster analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS: There is only fair spatial concordance with regard to visual field deterioration between the both eyes of an individual. We conclude that testing algorithms taking advantage of inter-eye spatial concordance would not be particularly advantageous in the early detection of glaucomatous deterioration.
Aged ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/diagnosis/*epidemiology/physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Space Perception/*physiology ; Vision Disorders/diagnosis/*epidemiology/physiopathology ; Visual Field Tests ; Visual Fields/*physiology