Purpose It had been reported that mutations in CYP1B1 gene probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) but the existing genetic association studies show contradictory results. Thus, the objective of our study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize more precisely the potential association between given polymorphisms in CYP1B1 gene and the risk of suffering POAG. Methods A systematic review of studies that related the risk of carrying CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms with POAG development was conducted. We selected 19 case-control studies including 3855 POAG patients and 4125 control subjects in our meta-analyses. A random effects model was used. Sensitivity analysis and assessment of bias were also included. Results The prevalence of CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms were significantly more frequent among POAG patients compared to all controls (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.37 – 6.21; P = 0.006). Moreover, their prevalence was significantly higher in juvenile-onset patients than in adult-onset ones (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.20–4.28; P = 0.001). Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis uphold that being a carrier of polymorphic genetic variants in CYP1B1 gene would increase the risk of POAG, especially the juvenile onset.