From the Research
The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in India is approximately 3.73% as reported in a study from southern India 1. This condition is characterized by the deposition of whitish fibrillar material on ocular structures, particularly the lens capsule and pupillary margin. The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome increases significantly with age, becoming more common in individuals over 60 years old, and is slightly more prevalent in women than men in most Indian studies. Some of the key factors associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome include:
- Geographical location, with higher rates typically observed in southern India, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
- Increasing age, with the odds ratio increasing from 8.4 for the 50- to 59-year age group to 51.2 for the 70 years and above age group 1
- Rural residence, higher intraocular pressure, cataract, being underweight, manual labor, and aphakia 1 Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is clinically significant as it represents a major risk factor for glaucoma development, with approximately 25-30% of PXF patients in India developing pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. Regular eye examinations are recommended for early detection, especially for elderly patients and those with family history of glaucoma, as early intervention can help prevent vision loss associated with this condition. A more recent study from 2022 compared the efficacy of latanoprost versus dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination therapy in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, but the study from 2016 1 provides the most relevant information on the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in India.