Intraocular pressure and progression in exfoliative eyes with ocular hypertension or glaucoma

Purpose: This retrospective study was conducted in exfoliative eyes in orde r to study the influence of IOP and other possible factors on the conversio n from ocular hypertension (OHT) to glaucoma and progression of glaucoma. Methods: 139 patients with exfoliation OHT or glaucoma with exfoliation syn drome were included (mean follow-up 5.2+/-3.6 years). The effects of age, g ender, weighted mean IOP, maximum IOP, stage of glaucoma at the first visit , refraction, glaucoma medication, and interventions on the hazard of progr ession were studied by multivariate survival analysis. Results: Conversion from OHT to glaucoma or progression of glaucoma was det ected in 63 eyes (45.3%), A significant association with progression was fo und for age (relative risk 1.042; p-value 0.043), weighted mean IOP (1.076; <0.001), and stage of glaucoma (1.436; <0.001), History of trabeculectomy (0.360; 0.002) related to a decreased risk, Conclusion: The risk of conversion from OHT to glaucoma and progression of glaucoma increased in exfoliative eyes with severity of stage of glaucoma, weighted mean IOP, and the age of the patient. A history of trabeculectomy was related to decreased risk of progression.