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Mortality risk reduces 5-year risk for development of glaucoma
Am J Ophthalmol. 2009;148(6):925-931.
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A patient's life expectancy affects the 5-year risk of ocular hypertensive patients developing glaucoma, which may be an important factor to consider when initiating therapy, a study found.
"Shortened life expectancy reduces 5-year risk of developing glaucoma. Thus, mortality risk is another factor clinicians should consider when deciding whether to initiate treatment of glaucoma suspects," the authors said.
The comparison study looked at the 5-year risk of developing glaucoma in a hypothetical group of glaucoma suspects. Risk of death was determined using the Charlson comorbidity index.
The study found that mortality risk can assist in reducing the risk that an ocular hypertensive patient will develop glaucoma during his or her life.
"For example, a 75-year-old patient with an unadjusted 5-year glaucoma risk of 51% can have mortality-adjusted 5-year glaucoma risks of 41.8% (18% relative risk reduction) or 20.2% (60% relative risk reduction) assuming the patient has a Charlson comorbidity score of 1 or 3, respectively," the authors said.