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Study: Northern latitude of U.S. may be linked to risk of exfoliation syndrome
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NAPLES, Fla. — A study examining results of two large population-based studies found that the southern tier of the U.S. was associated with a reduced risk of exfoliation syndrome compared with the northern tier.
"The delineation of exact environmental factors that contribute to exfoliation syndrome among people living in northern climates could lead to primary prevention strategies for this condition," Louis R. Pasquale, MD, said at the American Glaucoma Society meeting. "These data have implications for screening and distribution of manpower."
He and colleagues examined two large population cohort studies: 79,032 subjects in the Nurses Health Study and 41,286 subjects in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. In those studies, 214 cases of exfoliation syndrome were identified. Dr. Pasquale and colleagues' study examined geographical location of those cases and controlled for factors such as age, race and gender.
The northern half of the U.S. was defined as 41° to 42° of latitude, and the southern tier was below 37° of latitude.
In the discussion period after his presentation, Dr. Pasquale said that one reason for the results could be differences in ultraviolet light rays in the northern and southern latitudes.
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