The Prevalence of Open-Angle Glaucoma by Age in Myopia: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in myopia by age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a stratified, multistage, probability cluster survey. Participants in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2011 were included. A standardized protocol was used to interview every participant and perform comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria.

RESULTS: After adjusting for age and sex, there was a positive correlation between OAG prevalence and increasing myopic refractive error except in participants with hyperopia. Younger participants with higher myopic refractive error had higher OAG prevalence than older participants with lower myopic refractive error. Participants with high myopia (OR 3.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.30-6.59) had significantly greater age- and sex-adjusted odd ratios (ORs) than did those with emmetropia who were younger than 60 years.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that OAG develops earlier in participants with high myopia than in others. There was a high prevalence of OAG in participants with high myopia, even in those 19-29 years of age. Therefore, OAG screening should be performed earlier in participants with high myopia than is suggested by traditional guidelines.