Are middle-age blood pressure levels related to color vision impairment? The Okubo Color Study.

BACKGROUND We sought to investigate the association between blood pressure levels and prevalence of acquired color vision impairment in middle-aged Japanese men. METHODS Participants underwent color vision testing, ophthalmological examination, standardized interview, physical record examination, and venous blood examination. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were determined based on blood and physical examination results and the interview. Logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for body mass index, systemic dyslipidemia, diabetes, cataract, glaucoma, smoking status, and drinking status. RESULTS Of 1,042 men, 872 were eligible for the study, 130 failed the Lanthony 15-hue desaturated panel (D-15 DS) diagnosed as acquired color vision impairment 15-hue, and 31 failed the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test diagnosed as acquired color vision impairment 100-hue. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with both acquired color vision impairment in 100-hue patients (adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 10-mm Hg increases = 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-2.02) and acquired color vision impairment in 15-hue patients (adjusted OR for 10-mm Hg increases = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.04-1.51). The multiple-adjusted ORs for acquired color vision impairment 100-hue patients and acquired color vision impairment 15-hue patients were 7.13 (95% CI = 1.72-27.88) and 4.37 (95% CI = 1.69-11.03), respectively, for the highest blood pressure category (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mm Hg) compared with those for the lowest blood pressure category (systolic blood pressure <120 and diastolic blood pressure <80 mm Hg). Tests for trends were significant (P < 0.05) in both analyses. CONCLUSIONS Hypertension in middle-aged men may negatively modify vision-associated neuronal function.