Associations with intraocular pressure in the Barbados Eye Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) is a critical factor in eye health.
• Understanding demographic and medical factors associated with IOP is vital, especially in specific populations.
• The Barbados Eye Study investigated these associations in a Black population without glaucoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify demographic, medical, ocular, and familial factors associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) in a Black population.
• To exclude individuals with any form of glaucoma from the analysis.
• To understand the specific risk factors for elevated IOP in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study involving a random sample of 3752 Black participants aged 40-84 in Barbados.
• Data collection included applanation tonometry, ocular data, blood pressure, anthropometry, complexion grading, and interviews.
• Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with IOP.

Main Results:

• Systolic blood pressure (hypertension), history of diabetes, and age were significantly associated with higher IOP.
• Other factors included female gender, darker complexion, pulse rate, higher body mass, seasonality, family history of glaucoma, alcohol use, and smoking.
• These identified factors accounted for 10% of the variation in IOP.

Conclusions:

• The study identified specific subgroups at higher risk for elevated intraocular pressure.
• High IOP in this population may be associated with the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.
• Risk factors for high IOP differed from those of open-angle glaucoma, except for age and family history.