Prevalence of intraocular hypertension and glaucoma in a nonselected French population

Aims: To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in a large human sample and to assess the prevalence of glaucoma with elevated IOP and ocular hypertension (OHT) in this population. Methods: We measured IOP in 2,074 subjects (men: women: 1,384: 690). If the IOP was higher than 20 mmHg, a photograph of the optic disc was taken and the visual field was examined. The optic nerve head and the visual field were evaluated in 395 individuals. Results: In men aged 18-39 years, mean IOP was 15.5 +/- 3.1 mmHg and 16.4 +/- 3.5 mmHg after 60 years of age. In women, IOP reached 14.5 +/- 3.3 and 15.9 +/- 3.1 mmHg, respectively. IOP greater than 21 mmHg was found in 10.1% of males and 6.4% of females. The prevalence of OHT increased with age: from 5.3% to 15.5% in men and from 3% to 7.5% in women for the same age ranges. A diagnosis of glaucoma with elevated IOP was made in 2.2% of males and 3.0% of females. The prevalence of glaucoma increased with age from 0.8% to 5.7% in men and from 0.6% to 4.7% in women under 40 years and over 60 years of age, respectively. Discussion: This study confirms the increase in IOP with age and the role of aging in the prevalence of OHT and glaucoma with elevated IOP. Conclusion: This transversal study shows the feasibility of intraocular hypertension and glaucoma screening and prevalence assessment in a nonselected large population in France.