Analysis of risk factors that may be associated with progression from ocular hypertension to primary open angle glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
As a multifactorial disease, glaucoma may be associated with pressure-dependent and pressure-independent factors. Ocular hypertension (OHT) may develop into primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) for many patients. Groups with OHT and POAG were compared for pressure-dependent and independent risk factors. A high prevalence of any factor(s) could indicate a contribution to progression from OHT to POAG.


METHODS
A sample of patients with POAG (n = 438) and with OHT (n = 301) were selected from those attending a tertiary referral private glaucoma practice, and data were collected regarding age and intraocular pressure at the time of diagnosis, sex, family history of glaucoma, systemic hypertension, diabetes, Raynaud's phenomenon, migraine and myopia.


RESULTS
After multivariate analysis, older age at time of diagnosis (chi(2)(5) = 73.89, P < 0.001), myopia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.2; P < 0.05), a family history of glaucoma (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3; P < 0.01) and a high intraocular pressure (chi(2)(4) = 16.96; P = 0.002) were found to be more prevalent among those with POAG. No other significant differences could be found between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who have OHT may be at higher risk of developing POAG if they also have myopia, a family history of glaucoma or are of older age.
Landers
John
J
Eye Associates, Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. landers@lisp.com.au
Goldberg
Ivan
I
Graham
Stuart L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018450:Disease Progression; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors