Epidemiology of Glaucoma in Northern Europe

Abstract

Purpose To survey glaucoma epidemiology in Northern Europe. Results of literature review Open-angle glaucoma is defined here as the simple and capsular types taken together. On this basis open-angle glaucoma makes up by far the largest group of glaucoma in Northern Europe. These are the target groups of this study, and pigmentary glaucoma is excluded because of the small numbers. Conclusion Open-angle glaucoma is less frequent in Southern Sweden and Denmark than in Finland, Middle Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. This may to some extent be explained by the suggested low prevalence of pseudoexfoliation in the southern areas, but other factors are presumed to be of importance as well.