Prevalence of glaucoma in the Israeli Arab population

We describe the prevalence and treatment of glaucoma in a Muslim Arab population in Israel. Based on the medical records of 15 122 persons, the overall prevalence of glaucoma was 3.9%. Prevalence rates of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) were 3.0% and 0.42%, respectively. Prevalence rates of women were 135% that of men considering all types of glaucoma, 143% for POAG, and 96% for PACG. Prostaglandin analogs and beta blockers, alone or combined with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, were the preferred medications. Of 68 patients who underwent trabeculectomy, 27 (39.7%) required medications, postoperatively, for treatment of glaucoma; following Ex-Press shunt surgery, 3/11 (27.3%) required medications. During the last three years, 16 (1.3%) individuals with POAG were recorded as legally blind as a result of glaucoma.