Blood Lipid Levels and Intraocular Pressure in a Japanese Population: the JPHC-NEXT Eye Study

Although growing epidemiological evidence suggests that metabolic risk factors may influence the intraocular pressure (IOP), the specific effects of individual lipid components on IOP regulation remain unclear. In this study, we examined the associations between the serum lipid profiles, individually and in combination, and IOP among 6,786 ophthalmologically healthy adults aged ≥ 40 years residing in Chikusei City, Japan.

Participants with a history of glaucoma, the use of IOP-lowering medications, or previous ocular surgery were excluded. Comprehensive systemic and ophthalmological evaluations, including blood tests and measurements of IOP and central corneal thickness, were performed. An analysis of covariance was used to assess the associations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels with IOP.

After adjusting for several potential confounders, higher LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG levels were significantly associated with increased IOP. Specifically, every 10 mg/dL increase in LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG corresponded to IOP increases of 0.04±0.011 mmHg, 0.13±0.026 mmHg, and 0.02±0.006 mmHg, respectively. Notably, the positive association between LDL-C and IOP was more pronounced in individuals aged ≥ 65 years than in those aged ＜65 years (P for interaction = 0.009).

These findings suggest that lipid homeostasis may contribute to IOP regulation, particularly in older populations.