Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fundus examination in health screening for the detection of glaucoma. Methods: We referred patients in whom glaucoma was suspected or ocular hypertension was observed by fundus examination of the right eye to an ophthalmologist, and the diagnosis by the ophthalmologist was evaluated. Patients who had undergone treatment or follow-up observation of glaucoma or ocular hypertension were also evaluated. Results: Of the 8,647subjects who underwent health screening in our institution in 2004, we referred 142patients in whom glaucoma was suspected or ocular hypertension was observed by fundus examination to an ophthalmologist, and obtained diagnosis in 78 patients. Of the 78patients, glaucoma requiring treatment or follow-up observation was detected in 33patients (44 eyes). These patients and those who had undergone treatment or follow-up observation of glaucoma were 152 in total, accounting for 1.8% of the subjects. Of the 33patients diagnosed accurately, optic disc cupping was detected in 18, nerve fiber layer defect in 16, ocular hypertension in 5, notching in 4, bayoneting in 4, and disappearance of the rim in 3. Conclusions: Fundus examination in health screening is important for the detection of glaucoma. It will improve the detection rate of glaucoma, glaucoma within the normal range of intraocular pressure in particular, by examination of intraocular pressure together with observation of optic disc cupping and nerve fiber layer defect by fundus examination.
