Ethnicity associated with differences in glaucoma structure–function relationship study

Gender and ethnicity may influence the relationship between retinal structure and visual function in glaucoma, according to results of a cross-sectional study presented at AGS 2026.

The study included 1,856 eyes from 1,074 patients with suspected or confirmed glaucoma. Researchers compared 3 models describing the relationship between global retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field mean deviation:

1. A segmented linear (broken stick) model
2. A restricted cubic spline model
3. An exponential model.

Data were stratified by gender and analyzed across ethnic groups, including white, African American, Hispanic, and Asian.

Model performance was similar across the 3 approaches within gender and ethnic subgroups. The best fit was observed among Asian women. In the segmented linear model, the RNFL breakpoint for Asian participants was 71.0 µm, lower than the range seen in other ethnic groups (84.0–87.8 µm).

Reference

Kim JL. Influence of gender and ethnicity on structure-function relationships in glaucoma. Poster presented at: American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting; 2026.

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