Prevalence of Glaucoma
VEHSS reports on the prevalence of glaucoma for the following categories based on the method of identification:
- Examination-based glaucoma
- Self-reported glaucoma
- Diagnosed glaucoma
Examination-Based Glaucoma
The 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) includes identification of glaucoma based on retinal images. VEHSS summarizes the NHANES results, which represent a population-level prevalence estimate of glaucoma. VEHSS also includes summaries of published estimates of glaucoma prevalence from population-based studies.
| Dataset | Description | Variable name(s) | Sample | Response options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHANES | Percentage of people with glaucoma, based on examination | OPASCST2 – Exam status; OPXDGLAU – Glaucoma, right eye; OPXSGLAU – Glaucoma, left eye | Ages 40-150 | 2 – Probable, 3 – Definite |
The data source available for this category include NHANES. See data source documentation.
Self-Reported Glaucoma
The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and NHANES include self-report questions on whether a doctor ever told the respondent that they had glaucoma. VEHSS summarizes the prevalence of self-reported diagnosed glaucoma, which represents indicators of population prevalence of previously diagnosed glaucoma.
| Dataset | Description | Question Text | Variable name(s) | Sample | Response options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHANES | Percentage of people ever told by an eye doctor they have glaucoma | {Have you/Has SP} ever been told by an eye doctor that {you have/s/he has} glaucoma (gla-co-ma), sometimes called high pressure in {your/his/her} eyes? | VIQ090 | Ages 40-150 | 1 – Yes, 2 – No, 7 – Don’t know / Not sure, 8 – Refused |
| NHIS | Percentage of people who were ever told by an eye doctor they had glaucoma | Have you EVER been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had glaucoma? | VIM_GLEV | Ages 18+ | 1 – Yes, 2 – No, 7 – Refused, 8 – Not ascertained, 9 – Don’t know |
The data sources available for this category include NHIS and NHANES. See data source documentation.
VEHSS reports the annual prevalence of diagnosed glaucoma identified based on the presence of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes in patient claims or electronic health record (EHR) systems. Patients with one or more diagnosis codes associated with a VEHSS subgroup are assigned to that subgroup. Diagnosis codes may be primary or secondary. Only one instance of a diagnosis code is required for assignment to the subgroup. Note that diagnosis codes in claims data are intended for billing purposes and may not represent the true prevalence of the condition. Codes may not be present in cases where diagnosis codes are not required to justify payment. Diagnosed prevalence will also not identify any undiagnosed conditions, will not include patients not covered by the insurer, and will not identify prevalence among patients without a visit in the calendar year of data.
Glaucoma, Clinical Subgroups
VEHSS defines the following clinical subgroups. Clinical subgroups are not mutually exclusive.
| Subgroup | Indicated conditions |
|---|---|
| Glaucoma, Any Stage | Category total – includes any clinical stage below. |
| Open-Angle Glaucoma | Open-angle glaucoma includes diagnosis codes indicating open-angle glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, or capsular glaucoma with pseudoexfoliation of lens. |
| Glaucoma Suspect | Glaucoma suspect indicates diagnosis codes for preglaucoma, open-angle with borderline findings, ocular hypertension, steroid responder, or primary angle-closure without damage. |
| Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma | Primary angle-closure glaucoma includes diagnosis codes indicating primary, acute, chronic, intermittent, or unspecified angle-closure glaucoma |
| Secondary Glaucoma | Secondary glaucoma includes diagnoses of glaucoma secondary to other conditions. |
| Other/Unspecified Glaucoma | Other/unspecified glaucoma includes diagnosis codes indicating unspecified glaucoma, glaucoma secondary to drugs, other eye disorders or inflammation, hypersecretion glaucoma, increased episcleral venous pressure, or aqueous misdirection. |
| Severe-Stage Glaucoma | Severe-stage glaucoma includes diagnosis codes for any stage or type of glaucoma that indicates severe stage. |
Full list of ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes [PDF – 2.09 MB].
Glaucoma by Specified or Suspect Status
VEHSS defines the following summary subgroups of glaucoma indicating whether the glaucoma is of a specified type or severe stage, or if the glaucoma is suspect or unspecified. These summary groups are mutually exclusive and sum to equal the category total of all patients with diagnosed glaucoma of any stage.
| Subgroup | Indicated conditions |
|---|---|
| Specified or Severe-Stage Glaucoma | Open angle, angle closure, secondary glaucoma, or severe-stage glaucoma |
| Unspecified or suspect Glaucoma | Unspecified or suspect glaucoma and not in specified or severe-stage glaucoma |
The data sources available for this category include Medicare (default), IRIS Registry, Medicaid, Managed Vision Care, and MarketScan commercial insurance claims. See data source documentation.