Association of IOP with Systemic Factors in a Korean Cohort

To assess the relationship of intraocular pressure (IOP) to age, sex, and other demographic and health characteristics in a Korean cohort.

This retrospective cross-sectional study included subjects (n = 155,198) without glaucoma. All participants underwent health screening at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from August 2012 to July 2013. Anthropometric measurements, systemic health characteristics, and ocular examination including noncontact tonometry were performed on all participants. Additionally, sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires were obtained. The systemic variables were analyzed by multiple regression analysis to identify their relationship with IOP.

The mean IOP tended to be highest in subjects in their 50s and lowest in subjects in their 20s and 60s for both Korean men and women. This pattern remained the same after adjusting for several demographic and health characteristics. The mean IOP for men was significantly higher than that for women (p < 0.001), but the difference between sexes decreased with increasing age. In the univariate analysis, almost all systemic factors showed a positive association with IOP except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. By multiple regression analysis, IOP was positively associated with sex (male), current smoking status, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (p ≤ 0.001).

In a Korean cohort, the mean IOP was highest in subjects in their 50s. The mean IOP for men was significantly higher than that for women. Several systemic factors were significantly correlated with IOP.