Screening family members for glaucoma more effective in detection

NEW ORLEANS — Glaucoma detection is more efficient when aimed at the family of existing glaucoma patients, possibly allowing for earlier detection, a surgeon said here.

"A first-degree relative of a glaucoma patient has more chances to know about the disease, and, consequently, have been to be screened," S. Fabián Lerner, MD, said during a free paper session at the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.

When screening 61 first-degree family members of 35 current glaucoma patients, Dr. Lerner and colleagues found that 26.2% of the family members had glaucoma. In comparison, when screening 50 subjects without a known relative with glaucoma, 6% had glaucoma, Dr. Lerner said.

That statistically significant difference showed primary open-angle glaucoma was more prevalent in relatives of glaucoma patients, making the risk in the relatives group 5.5 times higher, Dr. Lerner said.

He said the increased risk could assist with glaucoma detection campaigns, which are always needed to address undiagnosed cases, but can be costly and difficult to implement. If glaucoma patients notified their relatives that they could possibly have glaucoma, more people might learn of their disease in a cost-effective way, he said.