The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in a Japanese population: the Hisayama study.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence and systemic associations of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) in a Japanese population.
Methods: In 1998, a cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted among residents of Hisayama. Of a total of 3054 residents living in Hisayama, Japan, aged 50 years or older, 1844 consented to participate in the study. Each participant underwent a comprehensive examination that included an ophthalmic examination. The presence of any pseudoexfoliation material on the iris or lens capsule was determined by slit-lamp examination. The participants were classified as having pseudoexfoliation syndrome if any pseudoexfoliation material was present in either eye. Using these cross-sectional data, logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the systemic associations of pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The following eight possible correlates were considered: age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, current smoker, alcohol intake, and body mass index.
Results: Among the subjects, 50 (3.4%) had pseudoexfoliation syndrome. The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome increased significantly with age. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age and hypertension were significantly associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
Conclusion: The prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in a Japanese population was 3.4%, and increased with age. This study suggests that hypertension strongly correlates with pseudoexfoliation syndrome in our population-based sample of Japanese subjects aged 50 years or older.