Obesity in women decreases risk of glaucoma

Females with a higher body mass index (BMI) are less likely to develop open-angle glaucoma (OAG), according to a recent study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Dr Wishal D. Ramdas et al., Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, conducted the prospective population-based cohort Rotterdam Study on 3939 participants without OAG. The initial purpose of the investigation was to determine whether factors such as socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity influence the development of OAG.

The same ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all participants, including intraocular pressure measurements, optic nerve head assessment and perimetry.

Of 3939 participants, 108 contracted OAG during 9.7 years' mean follow-up. The findings show that for every unit increase in BMI in women, the risk of developing OAG increases by 7%. No significant results were found for socioeconomic status, smoking and alcohol consumption. There were no associations between obese males and glaucoma.