Association Between Adiposity Indicators and Intraocular Pressure

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology and Public Health
• Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a key risk factor for glaucoma.
• Adiposity indicators are increasingly recognized for their systemic health implications.
• Understanding the relationship between obesity and IOP may reveal new insights into ocular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and various adipose indicators.
• To investigate potential sex differences in the associations between adiposity and IOP.
• To explore the link between obesity metrics and the risk of ocular hypertension.

Main Methods:

• A population-based, cross-sectional study involving 7,407 Korean adults.
• Adiposity was assessed using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and cardiometabolic index (CMI).
• Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a rebound tonometer, with statistical analyses adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• In men, IOP was positively associated with all measured adiposity indicators (BMI, WC, LAP, VAI, CMI).
• In women, IOP was associated only with BMI, WC, and LAP.
• Ocular hypertension was significantly associated with obesity and abdominal obesity in men, but not in women.

Conclusions:

• Adiposity indicators show a stronger association with IOP and ocular hypertension in men compared to women.
• Abdominal adiposity plays a significant role in ocular hypertension risk for men.
• These findings suggest sex-specific pathways influencing intraocular pressure regulation.