Relationship of intraocular pressure with age, blood pressure, and central corneal thickness in subjects with open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma, a chronic optic neuropathy, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. The difficulties in the identification and treatment of open-angle glaucoma lie in the multifactorial nature of the disease, including individual variations, various risk factors, and the need for personalized treatment plans. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven treatment for glaucoma, and controlling its fluctuations is crucial in preventing disease progression. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between IOP and various factors in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) subjects and compare it to control subjects. Materials and Methods: The study utilized a case–control design that included a total of 144 participants, divided into two groups: 72 individuals recently diagnosed with POAG and 72 apparently healthy subjects without glaucoma. The age range of the participants was between 40 and 75 years old, and both sexes were represented in the study. The factors examined were age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and central corneal thickness (CCT). Results: The results of the study showed that individuals with POAG had significantly higher IOP, older age, higher SBP, and higher DBP compared to the control group. In addition, CCT was significantly lower in the POAG group. There were significant positive correlations between IOP and SBP, DBP, and CCT in both the POAG and control groups. There was also a significant negative correlation between age and IOP in both the groups. Conclusion: Determination of a target IOP and achieving the set target IOP does not give complete assurance that glaucoma progression will be prevented, as many other factors also play a part in it. The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering these factors when determining the target IOP for glaucoma treatment.