Facies glaucomica, long-term results: can we recognize patients with POAG by their facial characteristics?

Poster Details

First Author: I.Knezovic CROATIA

Co Author(s):    J. Budisic   M. Belovari Visnjic           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To show our clinical experience in finding similarities between the phenotypic characteristics (medium face appearance) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Clinic hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia

Methods:

During the last 20 years of clinical follow up patients with POAG, in a great number of patients we noticed similar facial characteristics. In our glaucoma center of Department of Ophthalmology, Clinic hospital Dubrava in Zagreb over 600 glaucoma patients with clinically verified diagnosis of POAG get examined per year. All of them showed up for examination every 4-6 months. Our research involved 95 patients including 43% women and 57% men between 55 and 85 years. Patients included in this study didn’t have any physical abnormality or known congenital syndrome. A photo documentation was done for the purpose of this study.

Results:

In majority of our patients (over 70%) we noticed certain similarities in their medium facial characteristics. Most of them have oval medium face appearance, narrow root of the nose, long nasal dorsum with visible nostrils due to lowered nasal apex, thin lips and corners of the mouth curled down.

Conclusions:

Based on facial expression characteristics we might recognize potential POAG patients and start primary screening earlier than usual. POAG is frequently inherited and is believed to have a genetic basis. It is suggested to perform detailed research to determine whether there are genetic links between these facial characteristics and POAG. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No