Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the relationship between renal function (serum BUN/Cr levels) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) versus those without.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was done in order to determine the correlation between serum BUN/Cr levels and primary open angle glaucoma in patients seen at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, IL. Consecutive patient charts were reviewed retrospectively on 200 patients in each group. Exclusion criteria were ages younger than 50, no BUN/Cr levels within the last two years, or any other type of glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Patients that met these criteria were categorized as either control or POAG. The mean ages and BUN/Cr levels were determined for each group.
Results:
The mean age of the control group (n=203) was 61.9 with the mean serum BUN/Cr ratio of 18.14. The mean age in the POAG group (n=189) was 66.8 with the mean serum BUN/Cr level of 16.88. Therefore the difference in mean BUN/Cr ratio was 1.26. An unpaired two-tailed T test was used to calculate the p-value, which was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0059.
Conclusions:
A correlation between renal function and POAG did exist. Our previous studies found an association between the serum electrolyte levels (Na+, K+, Cl-, and Ca2+) and the prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma. The kidneys are vital organs in regulating total body electrolyte levels. This study found a correlation between renal function and POAG. Hydrogen ions are key in aqueous humor formation via active sodium transportation across the non-pigmented epithelium. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors stop the conversion of water and CO2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions to reduce aqueous humor formation. These medications are often cautioned in patients with poor renal function. With this information, a patient’s renal function may have a role in aqueous humor formation and POAG. References: Patel K, Dworak D, Patrianakos T. Correlation of Serum Calcium Levels to Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Abstract and Poster, American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 2013. Toris CB, Yablonski ME, Tamesis R. Aqueous humor dynamics. In: Choplin NT, Lundy DC, 2 ed. Atlas of Glaucoma. London, UK: Informa Healthcare; 2007:13-28. Wang SY, Singh K, Lin SC. The association between glaucoma prevalence and supplementation with the oxidants calcium and iron. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(2):725-731
Keywords: 427 aqueous •
443 carbonic anhydrase