Barbados Family Study of Open-angle Glaucoma

Purpose. The Barbados Family Study of Open-angle Glaucoma (BFSG) was designed to evaluate genetic factors in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in a black population. Methods. The BFSG follows up the findings of the Barbados Eye Study (BES), a 5 year prevalence study of 4,709 persons based on a random population sample between the ages of 40 and 84 years. In BES, 302 (7%) black participants had definite OAG and self-reported family history was found to be a major OAG risk factor. The BFSG aims to obtain more accurate family information by examining 100 families ascertained through a proband identified in the population-based study. All eligible relatives receive a full ophthalmologic evaluation, tonometry, perimetry, fundus photography, an interview and other measurements. Blood samples are also drawn for genetic linkage analyses. Results. In the first year of data collection, 127 family members from 32 families were contacted and 118 (93%) either participated or agreed to participate. Based on the clinical evaluation of these family members, 16% were found to have OAG (n=13), 3% had suspect glaucoma (n=2) and 10% had ocular hypertension (n=7). One-fourth of those found to have OAG were newly discovered by the study. Discussion. These preliminary findings indicate a high participation rate among relatives in BFSG and suggest that recruitment efforts will be successful.