The deleterious effects of the association OSAHS- Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) are established.

Our objectives are: to determinate the prevalence and characteristics of OSAHS in 92 glaucomatous patients (?= 54; ?= 38) who had all undergone several examinations: Clinical, ophthalmological and polysomnography.

The average age is 52 years (extremes = 42-85) with a male predominance (72%) and a median BMI (kg/m2):  ?=33,2 ;   ?=34,9.

The prevalence of OSAHS is 48% (AHI ? 5) with predominance of the moderate form (39%). Snoring (83%) and excessive daytime sleepiness (56%) are positively correlated (p < 0,01) with AHI. The iterative sleep fragmentations and the high number of microarousals observed, testify to the disorders in different stages of sleep. The constant alteration of the visual field is positively correlated (p < 0,01) with the increase in AHI. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is significantly associated with AHI and BMI.

In POAG, total sleep time is shortened (75%) and patients (49%) had SaO2 < 90%. Moreover, the impact of OSAHS is linked to several factors: repetitive or prolonged hypoxemia, hypercapnia, oxidative stress and microangiopathy.

This study suggests that the OSAHS may be an aggravating factor for glaucoma. The OSAHS ?POAG association recommends IOP monitoring during CPAP therapy.

Targeted and optimized screening OSAHS in glaucomatous patients will undoubtedly contribute to adequate management of this progressive optic neuropathy.