Association between ocular pseudoexfoliation and cardiovascular disease status: An analysis in a multi-speciality Hospital

Abstract

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is the most common cause of secondary open angle glaucoma. It is a systemic disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of distinctive grey-white fibrillary amyloid like material. The material is found in the anterior segment of the eye, where it can be easily identified on ocular (slit- lamp) examination by ophthalmologists. This study was carried out to determine if an association does exist between ocular pseudoexfoliation and cardiovascular disease. This was a cross-sectional case-control study carried out from March 2023 to June 2023 at a tertiary hospital. A total of 46 cases (patients with ocular pseudoexfoliation) and 46 controls (patients without ocular pseudoexfoliation) were randomly selected from Ophthalmology Outpatient Department. Ophthalmological examination was done which included visual acuity testing using standard Snellen’s Chart, anterior segment assessment by slit lamp examination, Goldmann Applanation Tonometry to check intraocular pressure (IOP) and dilated fundus examination by direct/indirect ophthalmoscopy. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed and Electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed for all the patients undergoing the study. 2D Echocardiogram (ECHO) was done if ECG was abnormal. Analysis of the study results showed a positive association between ocular pseudoexfoliation and hypertension (HTN) and abnormal ECG. Also, the condition appeared to be more prevalent among the males. Since there is a positive association between pseudoexfoliation and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ophthalmologists need to proactively investigate patients with PEX for cardiovascular abnormalities in form of HTN and abnormal ECG and refer them to physicians for appropriate management, if necessary.