The prevalence of exfoliation syndrome in different areas of France.

A prospective study was performed by 30 ophthalmologists to determine the prevalence of exfoliation syndrome (ES) in different areas of France and its relationship with glaucoma. The prevalence of ES in France is 5.5%; there are geographical variations: in Brittany and in the South East, the prevalence of ES is statistically higher than in the other areas. The percentage of patients with ES and glaucoma is 65.5%. The mean age of patients with ES with glaucoma (74.8) is significantly lower than the mean age of patients with ES without glaucoma (76.9). The association of ES with glaucoma appears early and does not increase with age.