Baseline risk factors for the development of open-angle glaucoma in a 12-year glaucoma incidence study: the Thessaloniki Eye Study

Aims To determine baseline risk factors of incident open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in an elderly white population. Methods Prospective-longitudinal population-based study. 12 years following baseline examinations, subjects were re-invited for follow-up examinations using the same methodology undertaken at baseline. 1092 (74%) were re-examined. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors with a p value of ≤0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the model. Results Overall, 826 subjects met final inclusion criteria. In multivariable regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders, baseline factors associated with incident glaucoma were: pseudoexfoliation (PEX) (p=0.002); higher intraocular pressure (IOP) (p<0.001); cup-to-disc ratio (p=0.020); family history of glaucoma (p=0.029); history of heart attack (p=0.002), blood pressure (BP) ≤140/90 without anti-hypertensive treatment (p=0.019) compared with BP >140/90. Increased hours of sleep (p=0.043) and alcohol consumption (p=0.030) were found to be protective factors. Conclusion Increased IOP, PEX, increased vertical c/d ratio, family history of glaucoma, history of heart attack and BP ≤140/90 increased the risk for incident OAG. Increased hours of sleep and alcohol consumption were inversely associated with the development of incident glaucoma.