The prevalence of glaucoma in patients with sleep apnea syndrome: Same as in the general population

Orna Geyer*, Nahum Cohen, Eitan Segev, Eitan Z. Rath, Lina Melamud, Ron Peled, Peretz Lavie

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: An association of glaucoma and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) has been widely reported. We investigated the largest group of patients with SAS thus far to determine the prevalence of glaucoma among these patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: An institutional study. STUDY POPULATION: A total of 228 patients with SAS. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Sleep studies determined the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) during night sleep. Ocular examination included intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, optic disk evaluation, and Humphrey visual field examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SAS was diagnosed as an RDI > 10. The RDI was graded to determine the severity of SAS: mild (RDI, 10-19), moderate (RDI, 20-39), and severe (RDI > 40). Open-angle glaucoma was diagnosed when a glaucomatous visual field defect matched the optic disk changes, irrespective of IOP levels. RESULTS: Nineteen participants had mild SAS (mean ± standard deviation, RDI = 15 ± 3), 129 had moderate SAS (RDI = 28 ± 5), and 80 had severe SAS (RDI = 54 ± 11). Open-angle glaucoma was found in five SAS subjects, a prevalence of 2% (95% confidence interval, 0.7% to 5%). There was no correlation between RDI and the presence of glaucoma (chi-square = 1.18; degrees of freedom = 2; P = .6) or between the RDI and the IOP (r = -0.067; P = .316). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of glaucoma in SAS patients was similar to that in the general Caucasian population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1093-1096
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume136
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2003
Externally publishedYes

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