Abstract
Purpose:
To examine the intraocular pressure (IOP) distribution and its related systemic factors in a Korean population.
Methods:
We obtained 2009-2010 data from the nationwide cross-sectional KNHANES (n =17,901). After individuals under 19 years of age or without IOP data for at least one eye were excluded, a total of 13,431 subjects were enrolled. All of the participants 40 years of age or older completed a comprehensive questionnaire and underwent an ocular examination including measurement of IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometry, as well as a systemic evaluation including blood pressure measurements, anthropometry, and blood tests.
Results:
The mean IOP in the right eye was 13.92 ± 2.74 mmHg, and in the left, 13.93 ± 2.76 mmHg, showing no significant bilateral difference (p = 0.234). Multiple regression analysis revealed that lower IOP was correlated with older age (non-standardized beta (B) = −0.008/year, p<0.0001). Higher IOP was significantly correlated with higher myopic refractive error (0.107/diopter, p<0.0001), higher body mass index (B = 0.040/BMI, p<0.0001), higher systolic blood pressure (0.016/mmHg, p<0.0001), higher fasting plasma glucose (0.004/mg/dl, p<0.0001), higher total cholesterol (0.003/mg/dl, p<0.0001), and the male gender (0.239, p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
This is the largest population-based study evaluating IOP distribution in Korea. On this basis, it can be posited that in the general Korean population, mean IOP decreases with aging and increases with increasing myopic refractive error. Further, mean IOP is significantly associated with systemic factors relating to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Keywords: 568 intraocular pressure •
464 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment