No abstract

SummaryA survey of the intraocular pressures of a random sample of 2,000 of the population at Oxford, including all decades from 10 years of age, was undertaken. Persons with an intraocular pressure of over 20.6 mm. Hg at the first examination were subjected to aqueous-outflow studies. These results are presented and the following points made: (a) 0.9 % of the total sample had raised intraocular pressure and abnormal outflow resistance; (b) 1.5% of the persons over 45 years of age fell into this group; (c) this group has been labelled " pre-glaucoma," which is regarded as a better description at the present time than " early openangle glaucoma"; (d) in a further 0.5 % of the persons over 45 years one was led to suspect glaucoma, and in a further 1.1 % the diagnosis was in doubt (e) the importance was stressed of routine measurement of the intraocular pressure, using a Schi0tz tonometer in individuals over the age of 45 years-this simple test could be carried out by the general practitioner.