Association between vascular comorbidity and glaucoma progression: A four-year observational study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
• It involves progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve fibers.
• Systemic vascular health is increasingly recognized as a factor in glaucoma development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between systemic vascular abnormalities and the risk of glaucoma progression.
• To identify specific vascular risk factors contributing to open-angle glaucoma progression.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year prospective study involving 204 patients with open-angle glaucoma.
• Systemic vascular pathology was documented in 102 patients.
• Statistical analysis, including odds ratios (OR), was used to assess risk factors.

Main Results:

• Glaucoma progression occurred in 55.9% of patients with vascular comorbidities versus 9.8% without (OR 13.81, P<0.01).
• Key risk factors identified: diastolic hypotension (OR 5.444), ischemic cardiac disease (OR 5.826), peripheral vasospasm (OR 3.108), and arterial hypertension (OR 2.593).
• Diabetes without retinopathy was not significantly correlated with progression in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Systemic vascular comorbidities, particularly those involving endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and hypoperfusion, significantly elevate the risk of glaucoma progression.
• These findings underscore the importance of managing systemic vascular health to prevent vision loss in glaucoma patients.