Metabolic abnormalities in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE: Although there are few data on the underlying mechanisms of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), it has been suggested that metabolic diseases may play a role in the evolution of the disease. We carried out the present study to investigate the involvement of metabolic disturbances in POAG pathogenesis. MATERIAL/METHODS: Serum metabolic parameters were evaluated in 49 POAG patients without a known history of diabetes mellitus and 72 age and sex matched individuals without glaucoma (control group). RESULTS: Among the metabolic parameters examined, only fasting serum glucose and uric acid levels were found significantly higher in patients with glaucoma compared to the control population (117+/-17 mg/dl vs 105+/-11 mg/dl, p=0.05 and 6.2+/-1.9 mg/dl vs 5+/-1.2 mg/dl, p=0.006, respectively). Additionally, a considerably greater proportion of patients had disturbances of the carbohydrate metabolism and hyperuricemia. CONCLUSION: We conclude that disturbances of carbohydrate and uric acid metabolism could play a role in glaucoma damage and pathogenesis.