OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA AND OLDER ONSET DIABETES - THE BEAVER DAM EYE STUDY

Purpose: To evaluate the relation of older-onset diabetes to open-angl e glaucoma. Methods: During a population-based study of age-related ey e disease (n = 4926), participants were evaluated for the presence of glaucoma. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured, and a medical history was obtained. Results: Rates of persons meeting optic disc, vi sual field, and intraocular pressure criteria for definite glaucoma we re more common in those with older-onset diabetes than in those withou t (4.2% versus 2.0%; P = 0.004). When persons with a history of treate d glaucoma, despite whether they met the other criteria for glaucoma, were included, rates were 7.8% in those with diabetes compared with 3. 9% in those without diabetes (P = 0.0005). Conclusions: The presence o f open-angle glaucoma is increased in people with older-onset diabetes .