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A Japanese study has shown a “robust” association between drinking of alcohol and glaucoma in male drinkers.
“Conversely, among women, neither drinking frequency, average daily drinks, nor total lifetime drinks were associated” with glaucoma, the study authors said. In the Journal of Glaucoma, the authors said while several studies have reported an association between alcohol and glaucoma, just as many have shown none.
The case-control study evaluated 3,207 cases with glaucoma matched with controls. Detailed alcohol consumption patterns (drinking frequency, average daily drinks, and total lifetime drinks) were obtained, as well as confounding factors, including smoking history and comorbidities. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for glaucoma prevalence.
Drinking frequency showed an association with glaucoma for “a few days/week” (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03–1.38) and “almost every day/week” (1.40; 1.18–1.66). Average daily drinks showed an association for “>0–2 drinks/day” (1.16; 1.03– 1.32). Total lifetime drinks showed an association for “>60–90 drinks/year” (1.23; 1.01–1.49) and “>90 drinks/year” (1.23; 1.05–1.44).
The authors noted alcohol consumption levels differed considerably between men and women and sensitivities to alcohol may vary by race.
The study noted the association between alcohol and glaucoma was “remarkable” at higher drinking frequency and that quantitative accumulation over time is crucial.
“In this study, the results for men alone were more robust than those for both sexes… in contrast, the results in women were not statistically significant.
“The results of this study will encourage further research on how drinking habits affect glaucoma incidence and progression.”
Reference
Stuart K.V., Khawaja A.P., Modifiable risk factors for glaucoma collaboration, the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium, and the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium; Members of the Modifiable Risk Factors for Glaucoma Collaboration; Members of the UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium; Members of the International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium. The Association of Alcohol Consumption with Glaucoma and Related Traits: Findings from the UK Biobank. Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2023 Jul-Aug;6(4):366-379. doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2022.11.008. Epub 2022 Dec 5. PMID:
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