New Findings from Ophthalmology, Ajo, and Jama Ophthalmology

What is the association between refractive error and glaucoma when race and ethnicity are factored in? Shen et al. explored this question and found that myopia and hyperopia are associated with particular forms of glaucoma. The investigators looked at primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and 3 types of open-angle glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. For this cross-sectional study, the researchers gathered data (2008-2014) from the electronic health records of members of a Northern California health plan who were aged 35 or older with a documented refractive error. Within this group, 34,040 members had a diagnosis of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHTN) and 403,398 had neither. The latter served as controls. Hyperopia was associated with PACG, while myopia was associated with an increased prevalence of all forms of open-angle glaucoma and OHTN, the researchers found. The magnitudes of the associations were strongest for those with the greatest refractive error. In terms of ethnicity, a stronger association was seen between myopia and POAG among non-Hispanic whites, and between myopia and NTG among Asians and non-Hispanic whites. The association between hyperopia and PACG extended across all racial and ethnic groups.