Prevalence of Pseudoexfoliation among Adults and its Related Ophthalmic Variables in the Community of Kebena Woreda, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Clinical studies in the hospital settings using patients having ocular morbidities have shown a high prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PXF) in Ethiopia. With this information in mind community based study was conducted to determine prevalence and socio demographic factors of pseudoexfoliation syndrome among adults in Southern Ethiopia.Methods: A community based Crosse sectional study was conducted among subjects aged 40 years or older. Subjects underwent standardized examination, including portable slit lamp biomicroscopy before and after pupillary dilatation, and IOP measurement using Tono-Pen. Pseudoexfoliation was diagnosed on slit lamp exam by the presence of white dandruff-like material on the pupillary margin and/or on the anterior lens capsule of one or both eyes. Results: Among 760 participants, the prevalence of Pseudoexfoliation(PXF) was 12.0% (95% confidence interval, 9.7%-14.3%). The mean age was 63.9 years (SD 9.96, age range 40-90 years). The prevalence increased with increasing age, with 26.9% of those 60 or older affected. Slightly higher proportion of males (12.4%) were found to have Pseudoexfoliation in either of the eyes than females (11.6%) which was not statistically significant (p=0.738). Mean IOP in subjects with PXF was found to be 20.65 + 5.15 mmHg, while it was 15.0 + 2.3mmHg for those without PXF. The difference between the two populations was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusions: The prevalence of PXF in eyes of people in Southern Ethiopia appears greater than that reported in other places of Africa and Asia. PXF occurs at a relatively younger age in our population. Increasing age is associated with the presence of PXF, and PXF in turn is associated with high IOP.