Glaucoma Cascade Screening in a High Risk Afro-Caribbean Haitian Population: A Pilot Study. Issue 7 (8th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Ta C.; Celestin, Linda; Hodapp, Elizabeth A.; Grajewski, Alana L.; Junk, Anna; Rothman, Adam L.; Duerr, Eric R.H.; Swaminathan, Swarup S.; Gedde, Steven J.; Young, Terri L.; Wiggs, Janey; Olivier, Mildred M.G.; Quintanilla, Raquel; Arrieta, Esdras; Savatovsky, Eleonore J.; Vanner, Elizabeth A.; Parrish, Richard K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of glaucoma. Volume 31:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 584
• Page End: 589
• Publication Date: 2022-07-08
• Subjects: juvenile open angle glaucoma -- first-degree relatives -- Afro-Caribbean Haitian -- cascade screening participation; Glaucoma -- Periodicals; 617.741005
• DOI: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000001996
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-0829

Abstract

Abstract : Précis: Glaucoma cascade screening in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of young Haitian glaucoma patients had high yield for diagnosing manifest and suspected glaucoma in 30.8% of those screened despite modest participation. Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of glaucoma cascade screening in FDRs (parents, siblings, and offspring) of Haitian juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) patients. Patients and Methods: Consecutive index patients (Haitians with JOAG) were identified, and the number/type of FDRs residing in South Florida were recorded. These FDRs were invited for free glaucoma screening, which included a comprehensive ophthalmic exam, gonioscopy, automated visual field testing and optical coherence tomographic analysis of the retinal nerve fiber layers. FDR characteristics and clinical findings from screening are reported. Results: A total of 77 FDRs were invited, 26 (33.8%) agreed to undergo screening (18 females, 9 males), which revealed 2 (7.7%) with manifest glaucoma (mean age 77.5 y; one of whom was previously unaware of his glaucoma diagnosis), 6 (23.1%) with suspected glaucoma (mean age 29.8±18.3 y), and 18 (69.2%) without manifest or suspected glaucoma (mean age 37.2±21.8 y). Siblings of index patients were least likely to participate in cascade glaucoma screening when compared with index patients' parents or offspring. FDR eyes with manifest glaucoma had significantly worse best-corrected visual acuities, higher intraocular pressures, thinner central corneal thicknesses, and thinner circumferential papillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses than those without glaucoma. Conclusion: Glaucoma cascade screening of Haitian JOAG patients' FDRs revealed that 30.8% had suspected or manifest glaucoma. Future efforts centered on provider-initiated recruitment and improving public glaucoma awareness and education may increase screening participation.