Survival of glaucoma patients

Purpose: To investigate the survival of patients with capsular or simple glaucoma compared with that of the common population, with particular attention to the impact of sex and use of acetazolamide (Diamox). Methods: The 30 year survival of 1147 patients with capsular or simple glaucoma who were finally hospitalized at the Eye Department, Rikshospitalet, Oslo from 1961 to 1970, are analysed, using log rank tests. The time varying impacts of sex and acetazolamide on survival are also studied using a regression model. Results: There was a significant increased mortality for patients with acetazolamide, and for men also those not using it. The observed mortality for men was initially lower than the average Norwegian population, but later the mortality increased more rapidly in the glaucoma group. This may be explained by a selection of the healthiest patients to Rikshospitalet, and actually indicates that the excess mortality is even higher than calculated here. Conclusion: The analysis of data indicated increased mortality for glaucoma patients when the disease had lasted for some time. This was especially pronounced for men using acetazolamide. A similar study from a period when acetazolamide was not in common use and an analysis of causes of death is also asked for.