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Severe Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Agricultural Profession: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Mathilde Grosselin1, Leila Bouazzi2, Thomas Ferreira de Moura1
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100 Reims, France.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|January 21, 2022
Summary
Farmers face a higher risk of severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), a neurodegenerative eye disease. This suggests environmental factors, like pesticide exposure, may worsen glaucoma neuropathy progression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pesticide exposure is a known risk factor for neurodegenerative brain diseases.
- The environmental influence on glaucoma neuropathy remains largely unknown.
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between agricultural profession and the risk of developing severe primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
- To explore potential environmental risk factors, such as pesticide exposure, in glaucoma pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study including 772 patients diagnosed with POAG.
- Comparison of glaucoma severity and surgical intervention rates between farmers (n=66) and non-farmers (n=706).
- Statistical analysis using univariate and adjusted multivariate logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Farmers exhibited a significantly higher risk of severe glaucoma (adjusted odds ratio: 1.87, p=0.03).
- A higher proportion of farmers underwent filtering surgery in univariate analysis (p=0.02), but this did not reach statistical significance after adjustment (p=0.08).
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that agricultural work, potentially due to pesticide exposure, may be associated with an increased risk of severe POAG.
- Further research is needed to establish a direct causal link between agricultural professions and POAG, and to elucidate the role of specific environmental exposures.
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