Risk Factors for Primary Open-angle Glaucoma in a Burmese Population: the Meiktila Eye Study

Purpose: To report the risk factors associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Burmese population.

Methods: The Meiktila Eye study, a population-based cross-sectional study, included inhabitants 40 years of age and over from villages in the Meiktila District. Of 2481 eligible participants identified, 2076 participated in the study and sufficient examination data to diagnose glaucoma in at least one eye was obtained in 1997 participants. The ophthalmic examination included slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy and dilated stereoscopic fundus examination. Definitions adhered to the International Society for Geographic and Epidemiological Ophthalmology's recommendations. Univariate and multivariate analyses of potential risk factors were performed.

Results: The overall prevalence of POAG was 2.0% (95% CI 0.9-3.1). In the univariate analysis, increasing age (P = 0.024), spherical equivalent (P = 0.01), axial length (P = 0.023) and intraocular pressure (IOP; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with POAG. And in the multivariate analysis, myopia <0.5 D (P = 0.049), increasing age and IOP (P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for POAG.

Conclusion: POAG in this Burmese population was associated with increasing age, axial myopia and IOP.