Evaluation of the clinical association between exfoliation syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Purpose: To assess the validity of the suggested association between intraocular exfoliation syndrome and aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.

Methods: A total of 77 patients recently operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent biomicroscopy under pupillary dilatation to detect the presence of manifest and suspect deposits of exfoliation material.

Results: The mean age of the 71 (92%) male and six female subjects was 73 years (range: 59-88 years). Manifest exfoliation was detected in 11 patients (14%; 95% CI 7-24), five of whom were aged 60-69 years and six of whom were aged 70-79 years. In addition, four patients (5%; 95% CI 1-13) had suspect exfoliation.

Conclusions: The prevalence of exfoliation syndrome in patients operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm was similar to that in the general population of the same age in Finland. This finding does not support the proposed connection between exfoliation syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm.