Progress in understanding the association between high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma

Many clinical and fundamental studies have shown that high myopia (HM) and glaucoma are closely associated. In particular, the occurrence and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma interact with the progression of HM. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain the association between the two disorders: the hypertension gene theory and the collagen-related gene theory. HM and primary open-angle glaucoma patients show similar collagen changes and hypersensitive responses to glucocorticoids. Consequently, these common features may hold key information regarding their underlying mechanisms. Advances in life sciences, such as molecular genetics, provide opportunities for clarifying their association at the molecular level. This article reviews available research on the association between these two disorders from the perspectives of epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and pathogenic mechanisms.