Association between metabolic risk factors and optic disc cupping identified by deep learning method

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Metabolic Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
• Metabolic risk factors are increasingly recognized for their potential role in glaucoma development.
• Optic disc cupping is a key indicator of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between various metabolic risk factors and optic disc cupping.
• To identify specific metabolic risk factors associated with the development of glaucoma.
• To assess the predictive value of metabolic parameters for GON.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, cross-sectional study of 15,585 adult patients undergoing health screening.
• Analysis of intraocular pressure (IOP), fundus photographs, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), serum lipids, blood pressure, and HbA1c.
• Glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) defined by optic disc vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) using deep learning.

Main Results:

• Univariate analysis showed positive correlations between VCDR and age, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, WC, triglycerides, LDL-C, HbA1c, and IOP.
• Stepwise multiple regression identified age, BMI, systolic BP, HbA1c, and IOP as significant positive predictors of VCDR.
• Multivariate logistic analysis revealed older age, male gender, obesity (higher BMI), and diabetes as significant risk factors for GON.

Conclusions:

• Obesity and diabetes are significant metabolic risk factors for developing GON.
• Older age and male gender are also identified as risk factors for GON.
• Glaucoma screening is recommended for populations exhibiting these identified metabolic risk factors.