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Exfoliation syndrome plays a role in cataract development
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HELSINKI, Finland — Exfoliation syndrome is a risk factor for cataract development, according to a small prospective study.
Researchers with the Helsinki University Eye Hospital examined the development of lens opacities and measured visual acuity and refraction in both eyes of 63 nonglaucomatous patients with clinically unilateral exfoliation syndrome. After 5 years, 46 patients were available for follow-up, and case histories were recorded for 14 patients.
During the 5-year study, the rate of conversion to bilateral disease was 22% and to exfoliative glaucoma, 30%. After 5 years, the mean difference in opacity between exfoliation syndrome eyes and non-exfoliative eyes became statistically significant. There was also a significant myopic change in refraction over time in both groups. At the end of the 5-year study, a greater myopic change occurred in exfoliative eyes than in non-exfoliative eyes.
The study is published in the December issue of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.