Stage 1 hypertension is a significant risk factor for open-angle glaucoma

Untreated high blood pressure (BP) increases the risk for open-angle glaucoma (OAG), according to a study, which found that stage 1 hypertension, according to the 2017 ACC/AHA BP guidelines, is a significant risk factor for OAG.

In this retrospective, observational, cohort study, 360,330 patients ≥40 years of age, and not taking antihypertensive drug or antiglaucoma drugs were categorized based on their BP levels:

Normal BP: Systolic BP <120 and diastolic BP <80 mmHg (n = 104,304)
Elevated BP: Systolic BP between 120-129 and diastolic BP <80mmHg (n = 33,139)
Stage 1 HTN: Systolic BP between 130-139 or diastolic BP between 80-89 mmHg (n = 122,534)
Stage 2 HTN: Systolic BP ≥140 or diastolic BP ≥90mmHg (n = 100,353)

Over a median follow-up period of 11.7 years, 3.56% of the population were identified with OAG. Elevated BP, stage 1 HTN, and stage 2 HTN were associated with multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals) of 1.056 (0.985-1.132), 1.101 (1.050-1.155), and 1.114 (1.060-1.170), respectively, with normal BP as the reference.

Reference
Lee JS, Kim YJ, Kim S, et al. Increased risks of open-angle glaucoma in untreated hypertension. Am J Ophthalmol. 2023;S0002-9394(23)00145-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.03.032. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37030496.