Body mass index and intraocular pressure in adults: implications for glaucoma risk
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31288/Ukr.j.ophthalmol.202633135Keywords:
Body Mass Index, Glaucoma, Intraocular pressureAbstract
Purpose. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intraocular pressure (IOP) and to assess whether hypertension status modifies the BMI–IOP association among adults aged ≥40 years.
Methods. This analytical observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the eye outpatient clinic of PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Gamping from December 2023 to April 2024. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria were healthy men and women aged ≥40 years with no known ocular disease who provided informed consent. Exclusion criteria included glaucoma/glaucoma suspicion, ocular trauma, chronic ocular surface inflammation/red eye disease, prior ocular surgery, moderate – high myopia (spherical equivalent ≤ −3.00 D), and topical/systemic corticosteroid use for ≥1 month. BMI was calculated from standardized weight and height measurements. IOP was measured in both eyes (right eye/OD, left eye/OS) using a non-contact tonometer under standardized seated conditions. Between-group comparisons used Mann–Whitney U tests, and BMI–IOP associations were assessed using Spearman correlation (p < 0.05).
Results. Ninety-six participants were included: 48 hypertensive (19 men, 29 women) and 48 non-hypertensive (15 men, 33 women). The hypertensive group was older than the non-hypertensive group (p < 0.05), and systolic/diastolic blood pressures were higher (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for BMI, IOP OD, or IOP OS between groups (p > 0.05). BMI was not significantly correlated with IOP OD or IOP OS in either group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion. BMI was not associated with IOP in either eye among healthy adults aged ≥40 years, suggesting BMI alone may not reflect glaucoma risk through an IOP pathway in this population.
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