ASSOCIATION OF HLA TYPE WITH PSEUDOEXFOLIATION OF THE LENS CAPSULE

Aims/Background - To identify an HLA association with pseudoexfoliatio n of the lens capsule to support the hypothesis that there is a geneti c predisposition to pseudoexfoliation. A randomised trial would be ide al for establishing a relation but is more costly and time consuming t o conduct. Case-control studies provide an alternative method of estab lishing a relation. Methods - The study group comprised 128 subjects w ho presented to a major eye centre with pseudoexfoliation. Data from b lood donors representative of the population of Ireland were used to f orm a control group. Results - An HLA association with pseudoexfoliati on is identified for 14 antigens. Eleven antigens (HLA Al, A33, B8, B4 7, B51, B53, B57, B62, DR3, DR12, and DR13) are significantly more com mon in the pseudoexfoliation group while three antigens (HLA B12, B17, and DR2) are significantly less common. Four HLA antigens are strongl y associated, with odds ratios of over 7.5. Conclusion - The strength of this HLA association is supportive evidence for a genetic component to the development of pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule.