What Laboratory Examinations for Open-angle Glaucoma Risk Stratification

Purpose: We analyzed the laboratory examinations associated with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to enhance our understanding of OAG risk factors.Methods: We categorized participants in KNHANES between 2008 and 2012 into OAG and non-glaucomatous groups. Next, we conducted a multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, sex, education level, and survey year.Results: Significant differences were observed in age, sex, and educational levels between the two groups. After propensity score matching, the OAG group demonstrated a significantly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), myopia prevalence, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, that group exhibited a significantly increased prevalence of hypertension and melancholic mood disorders and aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio. Multiple logistic regression revealed elevated IOP, SBP, DBP, AST/ALT ratio, and prevalence of hypertension, melancholic mood, and myopia as OAG risk factors.Conclusions: Our study revealed several risk factors for OAG, including elevated IOP, SBP, DBP, AST/ALT ratio, and prevalence of hypertension, melancholic mood, and myopia. However, the mechanism underlying OAG remains uncertain. Notably, a positive correlation was observed between the AST/ALT ratio and OAG risk. Further studies are needed to evaluate this association.