Primary open angle glaucoma and intraocular pressure in patients with systemic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and systemic hypertension. DESIGN Cross-sectional, convenient and controlled study. SETTING Eye Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. SUBJECTS Consecutive newpatients with documented history of hypertension medication of over three months and current attendees at hypertension clinic of the same hospital were enrolled into the study. RESULTS A total of 150 hypertensive patients and 50 age-sex matched controls were studied. Age range of hypertensives was 34-54 years and controls 31-71 years. The mean age for hypertensive group was 56 years (+/- 12.95) and controls 54.76 years (+/- 9.65) p > 0.1. The mean IOP was 28.45 mmHg (+/- 10.3) in hypertensive group and 15.2 mmHg (+/- 5.09) in controls (P < 0.001). POAG was present in 58 (38.7%) of the hypertensive patients whilst only nine (18.0%) had POAG in control group (p < 0.01 odds ratio: 22). lOP > 21 mmHg was found in 28 (18.7) of hypertensive group and two (4.0%) of the control (p < 0.01 odds ratio 4.7). CONCLUSION Systemic hypertension showed a modest positive association with elevated intraocular pressure. The strong relationship with IOP in part supports the association with POAG.