NHMRC Glaucoma Guidelines - ANZGIG

NHMRC GUIDELINES FOR THE SCREENING, PROGNOSIS, DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION OF GLAUCOMA
Chapter 1 – Recommendations and Evidence statements
Recommendation
Recommendation 6
Detect glaucoma earlier
Good Practice Points
• Perform regular eye
health checks for
Caucasians over the
age of 50, and for
African-descended
people over the age
of 40.
• Perform regular eye
health checks for all
first-degree relatives
of glaucoma patients,
commencing 5-10 years
earlier than the age of
onset of glaucoma in
their affected relative.
Remind all glaucoma
patients to alert
first-degree relatives
of the benefits of early
and regular eye checks.
Evidence Statements
Risk Factors identified from patient history –
Family and Genetics
Evidence strongly supports that all first-degree relatives of
individuals diagnosed with glaucoma are considered at high
risk of developing glaucoma themselves. It is recommended
that they undergo a full ocular examination by a qualified
health care provider, and receive ongoing monitoring for
the development of glaucoma.
Evidence strongly supports the need for all patients
diagnosed with glaucoma to alert first-degree relatives
of the benefits of ocular examination.
Risk Factors identified from patient history – Ethnic origin
Evidence strongly indicates that individuals of African descent
are at higher risk of open angle glaucoma
than Caucasians.
Evidence strongly indicates that individuals of Asian ethnic
origin are at increased risk of angle closure, compared with
other ethnic groups.
Risk Factors identified from patient history – Myopia
Evidence strongly indicates that individuals with myopia
requiring optical correction are considered at increased
risk of glaucoma.
Risk Factors identified from patient history –
Long-term steroid users
Evidence indicates that long-term users of steroids by any
route of administration are at increased risk of glaucoma,
and thus require surveillance.
Risk Factors identified from patient history –
Migraine and peripheral vasospasm
Evidence indicates that individuals with migraine and
peripheral vasospasm dysfunction are at increased risk
of glaucoma.
Risk Factors identified from patient history – Eye injury
Evidence indicates that individuals with a history of eye
trauma are at increased risk of glaucoma.
Risk Factors identified from patient history –
Systematic blood pressure
Ongoing blood pressure monitoring and management is
appropriate for all patients at risk of glaucoma.
Evidence
Statement
Grade
A
A
A
A
A
C
C
C
A
National Health and Medical Research Council 13