ALCOHOL AND OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

 

A study by Leo et al, based on the National Institutes of Health All of Us (AoU) Research Program, has reported a significant association between the frequency of consumption of alcoholic drinks and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

The retrospective study utilized the diverse All of Us Research Program. A randomized 1:4 case/control ratio was utilized for POAG patients and randomly selected control patients. χ², bivariable, and multivariable regression were utilized to examine the associations between alcohol use and POAG.

Of the 3876 POAG patients, 2015 (52%) were female, 1943 (50%) were White, 1152 (30%) were Black, 117 (3%) were Asian, and 584 (15%) were Hispanic.

Alcohol use of 4 or more drinks per week was significantly higher in the glaucoma cohort relative to controls (15% vs. 12%, P<0.001). On bivariate analysis, diagnosed alcohol misuse was associated with higher odds of POAG [odds ratio (OR): 1.20, 95% CI: 1.17–1.23, P<0.001].

In multivariable regression, more frequent alcohol use was associated with higher odds of glaucoma; alcohol use with a frequency of 4 or more drinks per week was significantly associated with increased odds of glaucoma (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.44, P=0.023).

This dose-response relationship was also observed and more pronounced for female participants, where alcohol use frequency of monthly or less was already associated with increased odds of glaucoma (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.002–1.46, P=0.048).

RESULT:

According to this study, there was a dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and POAG risk, which was more pronounced in female participants. Overall, a higher frequency of alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of POAG; 4 or more drinks per week was significantly associated with a higher risk of glaucoma.

REFERENCE:

Meller LLT, Saseendrakumar BR, Mahmoudinezhad G, Tavakoli K, Wu JH, Parikh A, Bhanvadia S, Moghimi S, Zangwill L, Weinreb RN, Baxter SL. Association Between Alcohol Use and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2025 Feb 1;34(2):69-76. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002529. Epub 2024 Dec 16. PMID: 39670849.