Ali Sharif - Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Hamid Sharifi - Assistant Professor, Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
Ghodsieh Sharif - Pediatrician, Department of Pediatrics, Payambar Azam Hospital, Kerman, Iran

Background & Aims: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is a complex disorder which causes an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). This study was conducted in order to compare IOP of both eyes of patients with unilateral PXS. Methods: In a cross-sectional study from January ۲۰۱۱ to June ۲۰۱۲, ۷۹ patients with unilateral PXS were studied. The patients were examined first with constricted, and then, dilated pupils (after instillation of tropicamide ۱%) using slit lamp biomicroscopy. Patients with exfoliative material (XFM) on pupil margin or anterior lens surface of only one eye were included in the study. Age, sex, and intraocular pressures, measured in both involved and noninvolved eyes using Goldman tonometry, were evaluated. Results: IOP of involved eyes was ۸-۶۸ (۱۸.۷۸ ± ۱۱.۲۵) mmHg and noninvolved eyes ۴-۳۲ (۱۳.۶۷ ± ۴.۵) mmHg. IOP of noninvolved eyes increased with the increasing of IOP of involved eyes. With increasing age, the amount of IOP of involved eyes increased. However, this relationship was not observed in noninvolved eyes. Conclusion: PXS is a major risk factor for increasing IOP. Since PXS seems to be a systemic disorder, clinically noninvolved eyes may actually be involved or may be at risk to becoming involved. Nevertheless, involved eyes are more susceptible to increased IOP and glaucoma.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS), Intraocular pressure (IOP), Unilateral involvement