The Association between Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Blood Pressure: Two Aspects of Hypertension and Hypotension

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:827516. doi: 10.1155/2015/827516. Epub 2015 Oct 18.

Abstract

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although the mechanism of the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is not fully understood, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered the most important risk factor. Several vascular factors have also been identified as risk factors and can lead to hypoperfusion of the optic nerve head and thus may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of POAG. The results of the present study suggest that both high and low blood pressure (BP) are associated with an increased risk of POAG based on a comprehensive literature review. Elevated BP is associated with elevated IOP, leading to increased risk of glaucoma, but excessive BP lowering in glaucoma patients may cause a drop in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and subsequent ischemic injury. The relationship between IOP, OPP, and BP suggests that the relationship between BP and glaucoma progression is U-shaped.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / complications
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / epidemiology
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / complications
  • Hypertension* / epidemiology
  • Hypertension* / physiopathology
  • Hypotension* / complications
  • Hypotension* / epidemiology
  • Hypotension* / physiopathology