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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
A Narrative Review of the Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Glaucoma in Adults
Barbara Leggewie1, Haralampos Gouveris2, Katharina Bahr2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Background:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder, primarily of the upper airway, which not only has a significant impact on quality of life but is also associated with various systemic diseases. Several ophthalmological diseases are also associated with OSA, especially glaucoma. The purpose of this review is to take a closer look at the causality and mutual influence.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed. A total of 19 studies with 316,178 adult participants were included.
Results:
Eleven of the sixteen studies concentrating on the prevalence of glaucoma in patients with OSA showed an association of both entities. One paper found a higher risk for progression of glaucoma in OSA patients. Five of the sixteen included studies failed to show a correlation between OSA and glaucoma. One study out of three surveying specific ophthalmological parameters showed an influence of OSA therapy on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning and vision. One study showed a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), while two other studies showed no increase under continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest an association between OSA and glaucoma and, especially, between OSA and thinning of RNFL. CPAP therapy appears to be also suitable for patients with comorbid glaucoma.
