Ocular Perfusion Pressure as a Predictive Biomarker for Glaucoma in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nigeria

Background: Ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) has been suggested as a possible risk factor for the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). While OPP has been extensively studied in older populations, its role as a predictive biomarker in young adults remains underexplored, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated OPP as a predictive biomarker for glaucoma among young adults in Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A purposive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 young adults aged 18-35 years. OPP was calculated from mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. Participants were classified into glaucoma status categories based on clinical examination. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at p<0.05 significance level. Results: Mean OPP differed significantly across glaucoma status categories (F=3.81, p=0.026). Glaucoma-positive participants had the lowest mean OPP (37.2 ± 6.8 mmHg), glaucoma suspects had intermediate values (42.3 ± 11.1 mmHg), and participants without glaucoma showed the highest mean OPP (44.6 ± 5.4 mmHg). MAP significantly predicted OPP (β = 0.70, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ocular perfusion pressure is significantly lower in individuals with glaucoma compared to those without glaucoma, even among young adults. These findings support OPP as a potential adjunctive biomarker in glaucoma risk assessment. Incorporating OPP into routine screening protocols may help identify young adults at higher risk of glaucomatous changes.