Six-Year Incidence and Risk Factors of Primary Glaucoma in the Singapore Indian Eye Study

Abstract

To determine the 6-year incidence of primary glaucoma and its risk factors in an Indian population in Singapore. Cohort population-based study. Indian adults between 40 and 80 years of age living in Singapore. A total of 3400 participants underwent the baseline examination between 2007 and 2009. Of them, 2200 (response rate, 75.5% of those eligible) participated in the 6-year follow-up visit between 2013 and2015. Standardized examination and investigations were performed, including indentation gonioscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, optic disc examination, and static automated perimetry. Glaucoma was defined according to the International Society Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. Incidences of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). The age-standardized incidences of primary glaucoma, POAG, and PACG were 1.68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21%-2.32%), 1.37% (95% CI, 0.94%-1.96%), and 0.32% (95% CI, 0.15%-0.66%), respectively. For eyes with ocular hypertension (n= 45) at baseline, the incidence of POAG was 4.83% (95% CI, 1.24%-17.21%) and for eyes with primary angle closure (n= 14) or suspected primary angle closure (n= 101), the incidence of PACG developing was 1.82% (95% CI, 0.37%-9.68%). Baseline factors associated significantly with risk of primary glaucoma developing included older age (per decade; odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.44-2.36; P < 0.001), larger vertical cup-to-disc ratio (per 0.1 unit; OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.12-3.64; P < 0.001), and higher IOP (per millimeter of mercury; OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.13-1.38; P < 0.001). However, 71 of 85 eyes (84.5%) diagnosed with incident glaucoma had IOP of less than 21 mmHg at the time of examination. Our study showed that the overall age-standardized incidence of primary glaucoma was 1.68% in an Indian population in Singapore. In our population, the incidence of POAG was only half and the incidence of PACG was similar to the incidence reported by the Chennai Eye Disease Study.