National survey of the prevalence and risk factors of glaucoma in St. Lucia, West Indies. Part I. Prevalence findings.

View Abstract

Although blacks appear to be at higher risk for blindness from glaucoma, there is little information available on the epidemiology of this disease in this population. Using a cluster sampling technique with systematic allocation of clusters, the authors conducted a national survey of black individuals 30 years of age and older, in St. Lucia. A total of 1679 individuals underwent a screening examination that included visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and cup/disc (C/D) evaluation. Every third person had a screening field on the Humphrey field analyzer. Individuals with either elevated IOP, abnormal C/D ratio, or an abnormal screening visual field were referred for a definitive examination and threshold visual fields. A total of 520 people were referred. Identified by stringent criteria for the diagnosis of glaucoma, which required reliable threshold visual fields abnormal by the mirror image method, 147 individuals had glaucoma for a prevalence of 8.8% in the 30 years of age and older population.

Investigators
Abbreviation
Ophthalmology
Publication Date
1989-09-01
Volume
96
Issue
9
Page Numbers
1363-8
Pubmed ID
2789357
Medium
Print
Full Title
National survey of the prevalence and risk factors of glaucoma in St. Lucia, West Indies. Part I. Prevalence findings.
Authors
Mason RP, Kosoko O, Wilson MR, Martone JF, Cowan CL, Gear JC, Ross-Degnan D