Clinical characteristics and risk factors of ocular hypertension: a case-control study

This study investigates the clinical characteristics of ocular hypertension (OHT) by analyzing factors such as Schlemm's canal morphology, intraocular pressure (IOP), iris traits, angle configuration, lens thickness (LT), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.

A total of 60 OHT patients (120 eyes) and 60 healthy controls (120 eyes) underwent cross-sectional and case-control analyses using measurements like IOP, visual acuity, and anterior segment OCT imaging. Statistical analyses involved independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, correlation analysis, and multivariate logistic regression, with continuous adjustment for spherical equivalent (SE) and central corneal thickness (CCT).

Compared to controls, OHT patients had significantly higher Covirs-bIOP (22.67 ± 4.56 mmHg vs. 15.67 ± 2.17 mmHg, p < 0.001), CCT (578.79 ± 27.62 μm vs. 552.29 ± 33.24 μm, p < 0.001), AL (25.48 ± 1.32 mm vs. 24.91 ± 2.17 mm, p = 0.015), nasal AOD500 (0.87 mm vs. 0.78 mm, p = 0.004), and nasal LTM (1481.44 ± 282.06 μm vs. 1317.50 ± 277.49 μm, p < 0.001), along with a more negative SE (-4.32 D vs. -1.75 D, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed increased CCT (OR = 1.45 per 10 μm, p = 0.001), longer AL (OR = 1.38 per mm, p = 0.030), wider nasal AOD500 (OR = 1.21 per 0.1 mm, p = 0.018), and greater nasal LTM (OR = 1.10 per 100 μm, p = 0.044) were independently associated with OHT after adjusting for SE and CCT as continuous covariates.

These observations indicate that certain structural characteristics of the anterior segment and cornea are of paramount importance in OHT, which emphasizes the necessity of high-resolution anterior segment assessment as part of risk stratification and early treatment.