Association of Severe Tooth Loss With Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness and Glaucoma Prevalence: A Population-Based Study

In a Korean population-based study, severe tooth loss was independently associated with structural thinning of the inner retina and a higher prevalence of glaucoma, suggesting a link between oral and ocular health.

To investigate the association of tooth loss with ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness and the risk of glaucoma in a general population.

This population-based study included 11,004 participants aged ≥40 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021). The study population was divided into two groups: a healthy eye group (n=7,289) excluding those with ocular diseases to analyze GCIPL thickness, and a total population group (n=11,004) to analyze glaucoma risk. Tooth loss was categorized into five groups: 0, 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, and 22-28 lost teeth. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used, adjusting for potential confounders.

In the healthy eye group, severe tooth loss was independently associated with GCIPL thinning. Compared to participants with no tooth loss, those with 22-28 lost teeth (β=-2.87 µm; 95% CI, -4.94, -0.79; P=0.007) showed significantly reduced GCIPL thickness. In the total population, severe tooth loss (22-28 lost teeth) was associated with an increased risk of glaucoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.03-3.57; P=0.040).

Severe tooth loss is significantly associated with structural thinning of GCIPL and an increased prevalence of glaucoma. Oral health status may serve as a potential associative relationship linked to structural changes in the eye.