Jayalekshmi T, Poulose K. P
BACKGROUND Glaucoma is one of the leading global causes of irreversible blindness. Vascular risk factors like hypertension and diabetes can influence the development and progression of glaucoma. Hence, screening for glaucoma is of utmost importance in patients with hypertension and diabetes. The aim of the study is to study the prevalence of glaucoma in type 2 diabetic patients and its relation to systemic hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 750 diabetic patients aged between 31 and 80 years attending our clinic were selected for the study. Blood pressure was graded as normal or hypertensive (systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >90 mmHg) intraocular pressure was recorded using applanation tonometer. Glaucoma was confirmed by dilated fundus examination and perimetry (HFA). Those patients already on treatment for glaucoma and Hypertension (HT) were also included in this study. RESULTS The prevalence of glaucoma in 750 diabetic patients was 93 (12.4%) and prevalence of HT was 349 (46.5%). Glaucoma was significantly more in diabetic patients with HT 53 (15.2%) than patients without HT 40 (10.0%), p value 0.05%. CONCLUSION This study suggests that increase in blood pressure increases the intraocular pressure. Thus, subjects with HT are at increased risk of glaucoma, which necessitates adequate control of blood pressure in diabetic patients. No such relationship was seen between glycaemic control and glaucoma.
