Purpose To determine whether an association exists between various components of metabolic syndrome (diabetes mellitus (DM), systemic arterial hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia, and obesity) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in a large, diverse group of individuals throughout the United States. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Participants All beneficiaries age ≥40 years continuously enrolled in a managed care network who had ≥1 visit to an eye care provider were identified from 2001–2007. Methods Billing codes were used to identify individuals with OAG and those with components of metabolic syndrome. Cox regression was used to determine the hazard of developing OAG in enrollees with individual components or combinations of components of metabolic syndrome, with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, systemic medical conditions, and other ocular diseases. Main Outcome Measures Hazard of developing OAG. Results Of the 2,182,315 enrollees who met inclusion criteria, 54,558 (2.5%) had OAG. After adjustment for confounding factors, those with DM (hazard ratio (HR)=1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–1.50]) or HTN (HR=1.17 [95% CI: 1.13–1.22]) alone, or in combination, (HR=1.48 [95% CI: 1.39–1.58]) had an increased hazard of developing OAG relative to persons with neither of these conditions. By contrast, persons with hyperlipidemia alone had a 5% decreased hazard of OAG (HR=0.95 [95% CI: 0.91–0.98]). Comorbid hyperlipidemia attenuated the increased hazard between HTN (HR=1.09 [95% CI 1.05–1.12]) or DM (HR=1.13 [95% CI 1.05–1.21]) and OAG. Conclusion Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders in the United States, this study furthers our understanding of risk factors associated with OAG and helps identify persons who may be at risk for this condition.

Purpose To determine whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) affect the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in persons with hyperlipidemia. Design Retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis. Participants Individuals age ≥60 with hyperlipidemia enrolled in a national United States managed care network between 2001 and 2009. Methods Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between statin use and the development of OAG (from no prior OAG diagnosis), progression from a prior diagnosis of suspected glaucoma to a diagnosis of OAG, and need for medical or surgical interventions for OAG. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, medical and ocular comorbidities. Main Outcome Measures Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Of the 524,109 individuals with hyperlipidemia, 316,182 (60%) had at least 1 outpatient prescription for statins. The hazard of developing OAG decreased 0.3% (adjusted HR = 0.997, CI (0.994–0.999)) for every additional month of statin consumption. Individuals with hyperlipidemia who took statins continuously for 2 years had an 8% (adjusted HR = 0.922, CI (0.870–0.976) decreased OAG risk relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of progressing from a diagnosis of suspected glaucoma to OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR = 0.996, CI (0.993–0.999)) for every additional month of statin exposure. Individuals who took statins continuously for 2 years had a 9% (adjusted HR = 0.907, CI (0.846–0.973) decreased risk of progressing from suspected glaucoma to OAG relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of requiring medical treatment for OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR = 0.996, CI (0.993–0.998)) for every additional month of statin exposure. No significant differences in need for glaucoma surgery were noted among those with OAG who were and were not taking statins (adjusted HR = 1.002, CI (0.994–1.010)). Conclusion Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OAG in persons with hyperlipidemia. Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG.

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