Prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Yemen- hospital based study

ABSTRACT

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome [PXS] is regarded a common disease in Yemen but the prevalence of this condition is not known. This study was conducted to document the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Yemeni patients aged 40 years and older attending an eye center; with emphasis on age, sex and laterality. During the study period from 01 June 2001 to 31 December 2002 a total of 2000 consecutive patients aged 40 years and above attending Ibn Al-Haitham Eye Center in Sana'a, Yemen were recruited by the author. All the patients attending the clinic had a complete eye exam at the outpatient department. Each patient was examined for the presence of pseudoexfoliation material on the iris or lens capsule on dilated slit-lamp examination. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome was diagnosed in 360 patients[18.0%], mean age 67.3 +/- 9 years. Males were affected more than females with a male to female ratio of 1.431. The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome increased significantly with age. Bilaterally affected patients were seen more commonly than unilaterally affected. This study confirms that pseudoexfoliation is not uncommon in Yemen and the prevalence rate was 18.0% in this hospital based study. We found that pseudoexfoliation correlated strongly to age. This study gives us an insight into the problem and more care should be taken to tackle its complications namely cataract and glaucoma