Pseudoexfoliation in a rural Burmese population: the Meiktila Eye Study

Aims: The aim of this study was to report on the prevalence and correlates of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) in a rural Burmese population. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, population-based survey of the inhabitants >= 40 years in the Meiktila District. Ophthalmic examination included Snellen visual acuity, slit lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, dilated fundus examination and frequency doubling perimetry. Results: In a population of 2076 subjects (4016 eyes) the prevalence of PXF was 3.4% (95% CI 2.14 to 4.67%; 78 eyes). Twelve eyes with PXF were blind. In the univariate analysis, PXF was associated with: increasing age, blindness (odds ratio (OR) 4, 95% CI 1.84 to 8.68; p < 0.0004), increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11; p, 0.00001), nuclear cataract (OR 6.92, 95% CI 2.89 to 16.59; p < 0.00001), cortical cataract (OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.37 to 9.65; p, 0.00001) and the presence of an occludable angle (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.13; p < 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, only increasing age and IOP remained significantly associated with PXF. Conclusions: The prevalence of PXF in the Burmese population is greater than previously reported in other East Asian populations. Increasing age and IOP are the strongest predictors of PXF, and it is associated with cataract, occludable angles and blindness.