Prevalence of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome in Diabetic Patients

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is the most common identifiable cause of secondary glaucoma, the prevalence of which varies considerably among different ethnicities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PEX in diabetic patients older than 50 years.

In this descriptive, cross-sectional study 400 diabetic patients older than 50 years referred to the Yazd Diabetes Research Center were selected consecutively. After completing a questionnaire, ophthalmologic examination was performed with slit-lamp, 3-mirror lens and Direct Ophthalmoscopy.

Of the total of 400 patients, 24 patients (6%) had PEX. PEX was significantly higher in older diabetic patients (P=.007). No significant association was observed with the other variables, including sex, duration of diabetes and retinopathy (p=0.7). Also, prevalence of glaucoma in patients with PEX was 14.8%.

In our study the prevalence of PEX was 6%. On comparison of results with similar studies on non diabetic patients of the same age group in our region, the prevalence of PEX in diabetic patients is less than non diabetic patients in Yazd.