Frequency of pseudoexfoliation among patients scheduled for cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) in patients scheduled for cataract surgery and to evaluate its association with pupil dilation, lens nucleus hardness, intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma, age, and sex. SETTING: Ourense University Hospital, Ourense, Spain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study evaluated eyes scheduled for cataract surgery between January 2013 and July 2013. Pseudoexfoliation was diagnosed in phakic eyes that showed central and/or peripheral white deposits on the lens surface, pupillary margin, or both. Dilated pupils were evaluated with a portable pupil chart. Nucleus hardness was assessed according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Diagnosis of glaucoma was based on International Society Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1763 eyes (1093 patients) evaluated, 381 (21.6%) were diagnosed with PXF. The frequency of PXF increased with age from 6.0% in people between 50 year and 60 years to 31.66% in those older than 80 years. In PXF eyes, nuclear cataracts were significantly harder than in non-PXF eyes (P < .001). The mean IOP was significantly higher in PXF eyes than in non-PXF eyes (P = .002). The frequency of glaucoma was higher in PXF eyes (17.4%) than in non-PXF eyes (9.4%), with a statistically significant difference (P < .001). In PXF eyes, the pupil was significantly smaller than in non-PXF eyes (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PXF was high in the study population and increased with age. Eyes with PXF were associated with significantly harder nuclear cataracts, smaller pupils, and glaucoma.