Solving the enigma of exfoliation glaucoma: a breakthrough in glaucoma research [editorial]

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is an age-related disorder common in many populations although there are also considerable ethnic and geographical differences (Ringvold 1999). XFS is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal microfibrillar deposits that line the aqueous bathed surfaces of the anterior segment of the eye; this may lead to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), the latter being characterized by rapid progression, high resistance to medical therapy and worse prognosis than primary open-angle glaucoma (Schlotzer-Schrehardt & Naumann 2006). This condition was first reported by the Finnish ophthalmologist Lindberg in his doctoral theses in 1917, some 90 years ago. An English version was published in this journal in 1989 (Lindberg 1989). A recent study found 15-year risk of XFS conversion to XFG to be about 60% (Jeng et al. 2007).