IOP variability data doesn’t help predict open-angle glaucoma development in patients with untreated ocular hypertension

Long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) variability does not help predict if patients with untreated ocular hypertension will develop primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Data from the 709 patients followed up from February 28, 1994, to June 1, 2002 as part of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) and data 397 patients followed up from January 1, 1997, to September 30, 2003 as part of the European Glaucoma Prevention Study (EGPS) were included in this post hoc secondary analysis. 

When added to the prediction model that included mean follow-up IOP, age, central corneal thickness, vertical cup-disc ratio, and pattern SD, no measure of IOP variability was found to increase the C statistic by more than 0.007.

Reference

Gordon MO, Gao F, Huecker JB, et al. Evaluation of a Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Prediction Model Using Long-term Intraocular Pressure Variability Data: A Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online June 04, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.1902