Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for high intraocular pressure: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2010

Abstract

BackgroundHigh intraocular pressure (IOP) is well established as the most significant risk factor for both the development and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma. Elevated IOP is more frequently seen in the presence of metabolic disturbances that are associated with the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ocular hypertension and MetS.Patients and methodsWe examined the relationship between ocular hypertension and MetS in 17,160 Korean adults without glaucoma aged >19 years (7,368 men and 9,792 women) who participated in the 2008–2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between MetS and ocular hypertension, after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and regular exercise.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was 35.1% among males and 30.1% among females. The prevalence of ocular hypertension was 1.3% among males with MetS and 0.7% among females with MetS. Participants with MetS had a significantly higher IOP than those without MetS (P≤0.001), and each component of MetS had a different effect on the IOP. Hypertension was the strongest predictor of an elevated IOP. In multivariate regression analysis, ocular hypertension was significantly associated with MetS (P=0.027 for men; P=0.015 for women).ConclusionThere is a statistically significant relationship between MetS and ocular hypertension.

Weighting evidence in MS: Obesity and neurodegeneration

“…These variables may impact pRNFL and mGCIPL measures and also co-associate with metabolic syndrome. 4–6 The effect size of BMI on mGCIPL thinning in this study was modest, and functional outcomes were lacking, making it uncertain whether the retinal changes were specific for MS and had clinically meaningful consequences.…”

“…Systemic inflammation associated with visceral fat accumulation and reduced lipoprotein lipase activity may increase oxidative stress, leading to retinal degeneration. 4–6 Furthermore, chronic inflammation affecting the trabecular meshwork has been debated as a possible cause of impaired aqueous humour outflow in the eye, 6 the consequent rise in IOP may, in turn, cause retinal neuroaxonal injury. Yet, these pathobiological theories remain speculative, and statistical correlations must not be confused with causality.…”

Sekundäre Neuroprotektion beim Glaukom durch Lebensstiländerungen

“…In einer koreanischen epidemiologischen Studie mit mehr als 17 000 Teilnehmern konnte 2019 gezeigt werden, dass neben den bekannten kardiovaskulären Risiken eine starke Assoziation zwischen einem metabolischen Syndrom und einem erhöhten IOD besteht [10]. Ein metabolisches Syndrom umfasst Wohlstandserscheinungen wie Stammfettsucht, arteriellen Hypertonus, Hyperglykämie, Hypertriglyzeridämie und Hypercholesterinämie.…”

“…Weitere Mechanismen sind eine erhöhte Steroidkonzentration im Serum und ein erhöhter Sympathikotonus [11]. Auch eine Hyperglykämie führt zu einem erhöhten IOD [10], wenngleich die zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen nicht ausreichend geklärt sind. Kommt es aufgrund eines arteriellen Hypertonus und/oder eines Diabetes mellitus auch zu einer Einschränkung der Nierenfunktion, dann werden auch neurotoxische Substanzen akkumuliert [5].…”

Effects of Consumption of Alcohol on Intraocular Pressure: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2011

“…However, glaucoma may occur and progress even if the IOP decreases to the normal range, and glaucoma progression is not always associated with IOP itself. Recently, researchers have investigated extraocular risk factors that affect glaucoma development, such as body mass index (BMI) [ 3 ], metabolic syndrome [ 4 ], lipid level [ 5 ], and ocular factors like myopia [ 6 , 7 ], lens status [ 8 ], and lifestyle [ 9 , 10 ]. Alcohol produces physiologic effects that could be risk factors for glaucoma after consumption, including neurotoxicity [ 11 , 12 ], changes in vessel diameter [ 13 , 14 ] and fluctuations of blood osmotic pressure [ 10 , 15 ].…”