The prevalence of glaucoma in Tehran, Iran

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of glaucoma in adults 40 years of age or older in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This stratified random-sampling cross-sectional population survey was performed on residents of Tehran, the capital of Iran, aged 40 years and older in the year 2001. Refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, slitlamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann applanation tonometry, funduscopy, and gonioscopy were performed in all subjects. Automated perimetry was performed in selected cases. Results: Out of 4418 sampled subjects, 2184 individuals (49.4%) participated in the survey. Eventually data from 2160 individuals including 814 (38%) male and 1346 (62%) female subjects with mean age of 55.1±10.2 (range 40-92) years were analyzed. The overall prevalence of glaucoma was 1.44% (95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.94) including primary open angle glaucoma 0.46%, chronic angle closure glaucoma 0.33%, normal tension glaucoma 0.28%, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma 0.23%, and other types of glaucoma 0.14%. More than 80% of affected subjects were unaware of their condition. Conclusion: The prevalence of glaucoma in adults 40 years of age or older in Tehran is 1.44%, which is in the lower range reported in other populations. The large majority of cases are unaware of their condition.