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Abstract
Background To investigate the biological effect of ageing on intraocular pressure (IOP) and risk factors in a population-based cohort study of Malay and Indian adults.
Methods Participants aged 40–80 years were recruited for baseline and 6-year follow-up visits between 2004–2009 and 2010–2015, respectively. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with an automatic BP monitor and IOP were obtained by Goldmann applanation tonometry. Main outcome was change in IOP, defined as the difference between the 6-year IOP and the baseline IOP. Linear regression models were used to investigate the association of changes in IOP with risk factors.
Results Participants without a history of glaucoma or cataract surgery at baseline were included (n = 3188; mean age: 54±9 years) . Their average IOP was reduced (−0.5±3.1 mm Hg), except for those who developed hypertension at follow-up (0.0±3.1 mm Hg). After adjusting for covariates, changes in IOP were negatively associated with age (β=−0.07, 95% CI −0.13 to −0.01) and positively associated with body mass index, diabetes, hypertension (normotensive as reference group; newly developed hypertensive (β=0.67, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.95) and chronic hypertensive (β=0.46, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.70)), baseline systolic BP (SBP) (β=0.20, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.26) and diastolic BP (DBP) (β=0.33, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.44), as well as with 6-year increases in SBP (β=0.27, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.33) and DBP (β=0.52, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.63).
Conclusions Normal ageing and reduced systemic BP are associated with reduced IOP in Malay and Indian adults. Given that high IOP is a risk factor for glaucoma, our finding highlights the importance of controlling hypertension in older adults, where hypertension and glaucoma incidences are on a rise.
- intraocular pressure
- epidemiology
- glaucoma
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Footnotes
Correction notice This article has been corrected since it was published Online First. The corresponding address has been changed to Professor Schmetterer's Singapore address.
Contributors JC and LS had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: C-YC, TYW and LS. Acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data: all authors. Drafting of the manuscript: JC and LS. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: all authors. Statistical analysis: MLC and JC. Obtained funding: TYW, C-YC and LS. Administrative, technical or material support: all authors. Study supervision: JC, YCT, NT and SHL.
Funding The study is funded by National Medical Research Council (grants 0796/2003, IRG07nov013, IRG09nov014, STaR/0003/2008; CG/SERI/2010; NMRC/CG/C010A/2017) and Biomedical Research Council (grants 08/1/35/19/550 and 09/1/35/19/616), Singapore. C-YC is supported by National Medical Research Council (NMRC/CSA/033/2012).
Disclaimer The sponsor or funding organisation had no role in the design or conduct of this research.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Ethics approval Singapore Eye Research Institute Institutional Review Board.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data sharing statement Additional unpublished data may be available from the corresponding author.
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