Metabolic syndrome: a risk factor for high intraocular pressure in the Israeli population.

AIM

To evaluate the association among elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the metabolic syndrome (MetS), body mass index (BMI), and some of their components in the Israeli population.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 12 747 soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, aged 35y or older, who underwent a routine periodical medical examination between 1991 and 2004. None of the subjects received medical treatment for either glaucoma or ocular hypertension. High IOP (>21 mm Hg) was correlated with age, sex, arterial blood pressure, total blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking, BMI and MetS.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between the IOP of subjects with a low risk and higher risk for the development of MetS (P<0.0001 for males, P=0.0026 for females). A statistically significant positive correlation was found in male subjects between high BMI and elevated IOP (r=0.11677, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

MetS and BMI were significantly more prevalent in subjects with increased IOP levels. We suggest that both should be taken into consideration in the assessment of glaucoma suspects.