RESUMEN
AIMS: To report the 6-year incidence and risk factors for ocular hypertension (OHT) in a population-based study in southern India. METHODS: 6 years after baseline evaluation, 56.9% subjects (participants:non-participants, 4421:3353) were re-examined at the base hospital. Incident OHT was defined as an intraocular pressure above the 97.5th centile for the population with no evidence of glaucoma in the 2852 phakic subjects, 40â years or older. Subjects with trauma, laser or incisional surgery at baseline or follow-up were excluded (total exclusions: 1569). RESULTS: Incidence of OHT at 6â years was 62/2852 subjects (2.17% (95% CI 1.64% to 2.71%, men:women, 36:26)). Incidence was higher in the rural cohort as compared with the urban cohort (80.6% vs 19.4%, p<0.001). A higher baseline intraocular pressure (with increasing OR: 16-18â mmâ Hg (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.1 to 7.9), 19-21â mmâ Hg (OR 11.4, 95% CI 5.7 to 22.9), 22-24â mmâ Hg (OR 42.6, 95% CI 11.0 to 164.8, in the urban cohort)) and increasing age (50-59â years (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.3), 70â years and above (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 10.6)) were significantly associated risk factors for incident OHT. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of this normal population converted to OHT. A higher incidence of conversion was seen in the rural population.