A NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF FAMILIAL OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA - A DEMOGRAPHIC AND ANTHROPOLOGIC APPROACH

A nationwide survey of primary open-angle glaucoma was conducted in Pr ance using questionnaires distributed to the patients by consulting op hthalmologists. Data included in the 985 questionnaires thus far recei ved were computerized and analysed. The sex ratio among the probands ( 388 males/597 females) was significantly different from the expected 5 0/50 ratio. Glaucoma was diagnosed at an earlier age in males (50 year s) than in females (52 years). The birthplaces of the probands and the ir affected relatives showed an uneven geographic distribution. At lea st 85% of the probands belonged to families in which other cases of op en-angle glaucoma were diagnosed. Using a maximum likelihood method, w e showed that no sole mode of inheritance (autosomal dominant, autosom al recessive, X-linked recessive) explained the data. A gene for prima ry openangle glaucoma was localized on chromosome I in two extended fa milies included in this sample.