Prevalence of open angle glaucoma in accompanying first degree relatives of patients with glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of open angle glaucoma in first-degree relatives accompanying POAG patients during routine examination in a reference hospital. METHOD: First-degree relatives of primary open angle glaucoma patients who accompanied their relatives to the glaucoma service of a reference hospital were screened for glaucoma. RESULTS: One-hundred and one first-degree relatives were examined, of which 56.4% had never had their intraocular pressure measured. 10.9% had previously been diagnosed with glaucoma, and 5.9% were newly diagnosed during this study. CONCLUSIONS: The eye examination of first-degree relatives identified a significant percentage of individuals with glaucoma. Despite being first-degree relatives of glaucoma patients, 56.4% of the companions had never had their eye pressure measured, demonstrating a lack of awareness about this disease.

[Epidemiology and regional differences of diabetic retinopathy in Pernambuco, Brazil]. / Epidemiologia e diferenças regionais da retinopatia diabética em Pernambuco, Brasil.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy among patients cared for in a screening program in Pernambuco, Brazil, comparing regional differences between urban and rural zones. METHODS: The charts of 2,223 diabetic patients (1,568 females and 655 males; mean age 59.3 +/- 12.0 years; mean duration of diabetes 8.1 +/- 6.3 years) that took part in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at Altino Ventura Foundation from June 2004 to June 2005 were reviewed for the presence of the disease. Patients were divided into two groups: group I, patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area; group II, patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state. RESULTS: In group I, 477 (24.2%) patients had diabetic retinophathy, while in group II, 89 (39.4%) patients (p<0.0001). The frequency of proliferative diabetic retinophathy, macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment was higher in group II patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state have a higher incidence of diabetic retinophathy and the advanced forms than patients living in Recife and the metropolitan area when examined in a screening program for diabetic retinopathy at the Altino Ventura Foundation. Telemedicine and descentralization actions are recommended for improvement of screening quality in patients living in the interior of Pernambuco state.

Prevalence of open angle glaucoma in accompanying first degree relatives of patients with glaucoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of open angle glaucoma in first-degree relatives accompanying POAG patients during routine examination in a reference hospital. METHOD: First-degree relatives of primary open angle glaucoma patients who accompanied their relatives to the glaucoma service of a reference hospital were screened for glaucoma. RESULTS: One-hundred and one first-degree relatives were examined, of which 56.4 percent had never had their intraocular pressure measured. 10.9 percent had previously been diagnosed with glaucoma, and 5.9 percent were newly diagnosed during this study. CONCLUSIONS: The eye examination of first-degree relatives identified a significant percentage of individuals with glaucoma. Despite being first-degree relatives of glaucoma patients, 56.4 percent of the companions had never had their eye pressure measured, demonstrating a lack of awareness about this disease.