Abstract

Background: Epidemiologic findings in the Baltimore Eye Survey maintained that POAG family history indicates an important risk factor for disease development. The Barbados Eye Study also suggests that people more vulnerable to developing POAG are elderly males with a family history of glaucoma. Primary Open Angle Glaucoma is known to be hereditary although the exact mode of transmission has not been determined. Primary open angle glaucoma is more prevalent among eyes with Exfoliation Syndrome (14%) than among eyes without Exfoliation Syndrome (2%).

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to detect glaucoma in family members of the patients with established Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Kashmir Valley

Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Srinagar which is the tertiary care centre in the valley. The study was conducted for a period of one and a half year in Family members of diagnosed cases of glaucoma (POAG)

Results: 100 Family members (first degree relatives) of diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma were screened for the presence of glaucoma. 57% (57 Members) were male and 43% (43 Members) female. The study group consisted of 50% (50) siblings, 48% (48) children and 2% (2) Parents. The overall prevalence of glaucoma in first degree relatives was 12%.  No significant gender preponderance was found. The mean age for glaucoma was higher (52.17±8.726 years) than that for no glaucoma (45.32±4.471 years). The prevalence of glaucoma was 100% (2 members) among parents, 14% (7 members) among siblings and 63% (3 members) among children. The prevalence rate of glaucoma increases with increasing age, the prevalence being 6.5% in the age group of 40-49years, 23.8% in the age group of 60-79years. Glaucomatous involvement was bilateral in all the members but the severity of damage was asymmetric. Average Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thinning on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was seen in all the 12 members (100%) in both eyes. Right eye showed borderline thinning in 3 members, early thinning in 5 members, moderate thinning in 3 members and severe thinning in 1 member whereas Left eye showed borderline thinning in 1 member, early thinning in 7 members, moderate thinning in 3 members and severe thinning in 1 member.

Conclusion: Primary open angle glaucoma is more common in family members of Primary open angle glaucoma patients.