Purpose To examine the 10-year incidence of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in adults in a population-based follow-up study, to determine its link with vascular diseases, and to identify possible risk factors of the PEX. Methods The baseline examination was performed in 2006 on a random sample of 1033 participants from Kaunas city (Lithuania) population. In 2016, a followup study of 686 participants who returned for the examination was conducted. The respondents filled out a questionnaire, an ophthalmological examination was performed, and the presence of vascular diseases was determined by the anamnesis and electrocardiogram evaluation data. Binary univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with the PEX and vascular diseases as predictors, controlling for age. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals of OR were calculated for the risk of new PEX cases. Results During 10 years, the prevalence of the PEX in the study population increased from 10.3 to 34.2%. The rates of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and IHD combined with stroke were significantly higher in the PEX subjects than in the non-PEX subjects. The risk of the PEX among persons with IHD was, on the average, by 1.5-fold higher, and among those with IHD and stroke, on the average, by 1.6-fold higher as compared to persons without the aforementioned pathologies (accordingly, p = 0.014 and p = 0.010). Conclusion The prevalence of the PEX increased significantly with age. The risk of the PEX was significantly higher among persons with IHD and even higher among persons with IHD and stroke. In the future, a greater understanding of the cardiovascular, metabolic, and environmental components associated with the PEX may lead to more specific lifestylerelated preventive strategies to decrease the disease burden.

Purpose Within a population-based follow-up study, to examine the 10-year incidence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), possible risk factors for PEX and its association with ocular aging of the cornea, lens and retina. Methods The baseline examination was conducted in 2006 on a random sample of 1,033 adult participants from Kaunas city (Lithuania) population of whom 631 had ophthalmic examination data at attendance of the 10-year follow-up in 2016. Detailed examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye was carried out. After diagnostic mydriasis PEX was diagnosed by the presence of typical grayish-white exfoliation material on the anterior capsule surface of the lens. The participants were divided to PEX and non-PEX groups. Results PEX prevalence increased from 9.8 to 34.2% from baseline to 10-year follow-up. Nuclear cataract was common both in the PEX group (66.7%) and in those without PEX (72.2%), but this difference did not reach statistically significantly increased risk of developing cataract in those with PEX (OR 1.2; p = 0.61). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was thinner in the PEX group (529 ± 34 μm) and in the oldest group (525 ± 36 μm) (p < 0.001). Compared to baseline, corneal curvature (CC) became flatter in both groups (7.6 ± 0.27 vs 7.7 ± 0.26 mm; p < 0.001) during the follow-up, but the difference did not reach significance between groups. Corneal astigmatism was most commonly with-the-rule in both groups (37 (50.0%) vs 148 (68.5%); p > 0.05). Age, sex and PEX had no influence on age-related macular degeneration distribution. Conclusion The prevalence of PEX increased significantly with age in our population, with those with PEX having thinner and flatter corneae, but no difference in cataract and age-related macular degeneration characteristics.

Tikslas – išanalizuoti sergančiųjų pseudoeksfoliaciniu sindromu (PS) paplitimą, jo pokyčius Kauno miesto gyventojų populiacijoje ir sąsajas su glaukoma bei glau­komos įtarimu. Metodika. Pakartotinio tyrimo metu (2016 m.) tirti 631 Kauno miesto gyventojas. Amžius − 55-83 metai. At­liktas nuodugnus oftalmologinis tyrimas (1262 akys): geriausias koreguotas regėjimo aštrumas, pachimetrija, biomikroskopija, akispūdis (IOS), N-30-F akipločio tyrimas, tinklainės optinė koherentinė tomografija, po medikamentinės midriazės matuotas vyzdžio diametras, fotografuotas akies dugnas, iš akies dugno nuotraukų vertintas regos nervo disko ir ekskavacijos diametrų santykis vertikaliame meridiane (CDR), PS nustatomas biomikroskopuojant, pseudoeksfoliacinei medžiagai esant ant akies priekinio segmento struktūrų. Rezultatai. Tirtoje imtyje PS nustatytas 216 tiriamųjų ir 415 nenustatytas PS (Ne-PS), PS paplitimas-34,2 procento. Didžiausias PS paplitimas 45,3 proc. nu­statytas vyriausioje (76-83 m.) tiriamųjų amžiaus gru­pėje, nepriklausomai nuo lyties. PS dažnis tarp lyčių nesiskyrė: vyrams buvo 35,6 proc., moterims − 33,4 proc. (p > 0,05). Tiriamoje imtyje (1262 akių) nusta­tyta 113 (9,1 proc.) glaukomos atvejų, iš jų 63 (6,8 proc.) Ne-PS grupėje vs. 50 (15,7 proc.) PS grupėje (p < 0,001). Medikamentinėje midriazėje vyzdžio diame­tras buvo statistiškai reikšmingai mažesnis PS grupėje, lyginant su Ne-PS grupe (5,1 ir 6,0 mm atitinkamai (p < 0,001)). Sergančių glaukoma PS ir Ne-PS grupėse akispūdis reikšmingai nesiskyrė (16,0 ir 15,5 mmHg atitinkamai; p > 0,05). Išvados. Nustatytas PS tolimesnis plitimas tirtame kon­tingente ir ypač vyresnio amžiaus grupėje. Per 10 metų PS padaugėjo 3 kartus. Glaukoma du kartus dažniau nustatyta esant PS. Tiriamoje imtyje (1262 akių) nu­statyta 113 (9,1 proc.) glaukomos atvejų, iš jų 63 (6,8 proc.) Ne-PS grupėje vs. 50 (15,7 proc.) PS grupėje. Per 10 metų atsirado 80 naujų GL atvejų. Nustatyta, kad sergančiųjų glaukoma PS pogrupyje, palyginus su Ne-PS pogrupiu, pasiekta statistiškai reikšmingai ma­žesnė medikamentinė midriazė sergančių glaukoma PS pogrupyje (5,1 ir 6,0 mm atitinkamai).

Purpose: To examine the 10-year incidence of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), possible risk factors of PEX, and its association with aging and ocular changes in cornea, lens, retina within a population-based follow-up study.Methods: The baseline examination was conducted in 2006 on a random sample of 1,033 adult participants from Kaunas city (Lithuania) population. Out of them 631 participants returned to the follow-up study in 2016. Ophthalmological examination included keratometry, central corneal pachymetry, after diagnostic mydriasis lens opacification was evaluated by LOCS III International classification, PEX was diagnosed by the presence of typical grayish-white exfoliation material on the anterior capsule surface of the lens.Results: During the 10 years follow-up, the prevalence of the PEX increased from 9.8% to 34.2%. Nuclear cataract was diagnosed the most both in the PEX-group and those without, however, there was no statistically significantly increased risk of developing cataract in those with PEX when compared to those without PEX (OR 1.2; p=0.61). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was thinner in PEX group (529±34μm) and in the eldest group (525±36μm) (p<0.001). Compared to baseline, corneal curvature (CC) became steeper both in the PEX and the no-PEX groups during the follow-up (p=0.013), but the difference didn’t reach significance between groups. The biggest part of corneal astigmatism was with-the-rule in no-PEX and PEX groups (37 vs 148; p>0.05). The age, sex and PEX had no influence to age related macular degeneration distribution.Conclusion: The prevalence of the PEX increased significantly with age. CCT was thinner in PEX group and in elder people. CC was flatter in PEX group.