THE ASSOCIATION OF PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA AND SYSTEMIC HYPERTENSION IN PATIENTS REFERRED TO FARABI EYE HOSPITAL

Purpose: To investigate the association of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and systemic hypertension in patients referred to Farabi Eye Hospital Methods: In this case-control study in Farabi Eye Hospital. One hundred patients were selected randomly from POAG patients of glaucoma clinic, Farabi Eye Hospital. Control group consists of 100 patients, candidates for cataract surgery. History of any anti-hypertensive agent consumption was recorded for all participants. A complete set of systemic and ophthalmologic examinations, including several blood pressure measurements, was performed for each subject. Systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg and/or any history of antihypertensive usage in each group were considered as hypertensive status. Results: Diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in POAG patients than control group (P=0.003). Systolic blood pressure was also higher in POAG patients than control group; however, the difference was only marginally significant (P=0.07). No association between POAG and hypertension was found. Conclusion: POAG was found to have a strong positive association with diastolic blood pressure in our patients.