THE AFRICAN CARIBBEAN EYE SURVEY - RISK-FACTORS FOR GLAUCOMA IN A SAMPLE OF AFRICAN CARIBBEAN PEOPLE LIVING IN LONDON

The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for chronic glaucoma in a sample of African Caribbean people over 35 years of age living in the London Borough of Haringey. A cross-sectional voluntary sample of persons were subjected to detailed ophthalmic assessment including automated tangent screen suprathreshold visual field testing, applanation tonometry and stereoscopic disc evaluation in 50 community-based survey clinics over an 8 month period. Cases and suspects were referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital for more detailed assessment and confirmation of the diagnosis. Of 873 eligible persons examined (out of a total of 1022), 32 definite cases of glaucoma were identified, a prevalence of 3.9%; 42% of these had been previously diagnosed. Approximately 10% of the sample required further assessment and follow-up when ocular hypertensives and glaucoma suspects were included. An age-standardised comparison with the findings of the Roscommon survey revealed a relative risk for glaucoma for Haringey blacks compared with Irish whites of 3.7. Significant risk factors for glaucoma included age, African birthplace and darker skin colour. Neither diabetes nor hypertension reached significance. Despite the lack of a population base, this study provides strong evidence that the 4 times greater risk of glaucoma estimated for American blacks compared with whites applies equally to the United Kingdom population. Community-based facilities are required to raise awareness of the risk among this ethnic minority in this country and case-finding resources should be provided to meet local needs.