Fasting plasma glucose level and the risk of open angle glaucoma: Nationwide population-based cohort study in Korea.

BackgroundThe level of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is positively associated with intraocular pressure. Diabetes causes early structural changes of retina, especially on ganglion cell layer. In this regard, the FPG level itself may also show an independent association with open angle glaucoma (OAG) development in general population. Herein, we investigate the association of the FPG level with the incidence of OAG.MethodsUsing nationally representative data from the Korean National Health Insurance System, 374,376 subjects ≥40 years of age without OAG who underwent health examinations from 2009 to 2013 were enrolled and followed to the end of 2014. Incident cases of OAG using the International Classification of Diseases 10 codes and medication information were analyzed based on the levels of FPG.ResultsSubjects with the highest FPG level (≥160 mg/dL), compared with the lowest level (ConclusionsThis nationwide population-based cohort study showed that the fasting glucose was associated with an increased risk of OAG. These findings suggest that subjects with high FPG levels require special attention when screening for glaucoma