Purpose: To study the clinical correlates of pattern of deposits over the lens in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.
Methods: This retrospective observational study screened 346 patients with PXF seen in glaucoma clinic of a tertiary hospital from 2011-2013. Details like pattern of deposits, location on the lens surface and pupillary abnormalities in slit lamp photographs and their correlation with clinical and demographic variables, were analysed.
Results: A total of 84 eyes of 42 patients with bilateral PXF were included for the study. Glaucoma was seen in 30 eyes with baseline IOP of 24+3.8 mm Hg. Comparing the type of deposits, namely classical (n = 39 eyes), radial pigmentary (RP) form (n = 39 eyes) and combined classical and radial pigmentary (CR) forms (n = 6 eyes) of deposits, pupillary ruff atrophy was common in all forms while poor dilatation was rare in the RP type (n = 5 vs n = 25 in classical forms, p < 0.001). Mean deviation (MD) was worse in the classical and CR form as compared to RP type with the latter presenting much earlier, 43 ± 3.2 years vs 48 ± 4.1 years in CR and 56 ± 5.7 years in classical form, p < 0.001. The baseline IOP in the RP group (18 ± 2.3 mm Hg) was significantly lower than the other two forms (CR 20 ± 3.2 mm Hg, classical 28 ± 2.3 mm Hg), p < 0.001, with only 2 eyes on anti-glaucoma drugs at presentation.
Conclusion: Pattern of exfoliation deposits may indicate the stage and severity of the disease process in evolution with the RP representing an earlier/less severe form of pseudoexfoliation syndrome.