Gonioscopy findings and prevalence of occludable angles in a Burmese population: the Meiktila Eye Study

Aim: To determine the prevalence of preglaucomatous angle- closure disease in central Myanmar. Methods: A population- based survey of inhabitants >= 40 years in the Meiktila District was carried out; 2481 subjects were identified, 2076 participated and 2060 underwent gonioscopy of at least one eye. Eyes with angles traditionally described as "occludable'' were recorded as primary angle- closure suspects ( PACS); eyes with PACS and peripheral anterior synechiae ( PAS), or an increased intraocular pressure but without primary angle- closure glaucoma, were recorded as primary angle closure ( PAC). Results: The prevalence of PACS in at least one eye was 5.7% ( 95% CI 4.72 to 6.62); prevalence increased with age and was more common in women ( p < 0.001). The prevalence of PAC in at least one eye was 1.50% ( 95% CI 1.47 to 1.53). All participants with PAS had at least 90 of closure ( range 90 - 360). Conclusion: The prevalence of preglaucomatous angle- closure disease ( PACS and PAC) in this population was 5.7% and 1.5%, respectively. PACS was more common in women, and its prevalence increased with age.