Biological Age Acceleration, Genetic Susceptibility, and Incident Glaucoma Risk.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Genetics
• Aging Research

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Biological age, distinct from chronological age, reflects physiological decline.
• Understanding factors influencing glaucoma risk is crucial for early detection and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the link between biological age acceleration and new-onset glaucoma.
• To determine if genetic predisposition modifies this association.
• To explore potential causal relationships using Mendelian randomization.

Main Methods:

• Utilized UK Biobank data from 318,556 participants without baseline glaucoma.
• Calculated biological age using Klemera-Doubal method Biological Age (KDM-BA) and PhenoAge algorithms.
• Employed Cox regression and Mendelian randomization to analyze associations and interactions with genetic risk.

Main Results:

• Biological age acceleration correlated with elevated glaucoma risk (e.g., 5-year acceleration: HR 1.12 KDM-BA, 1.09 PhenoAge).
• Participants with higher biological age exhibited increased glaucoma risk.
• Genetic risk significantly modified the association, with highest risk in biologically older individuals with high genetic risk (e.g., HR 2.33 KDM-BA).

Conclusions:

• Biological age acceleration is associated with increased glaucoma incidence.
• Genetic risk plays a modifying role in this relationship.
• No causal link was identified, warranting further research into the underlying mechanisms.