A Clinical Study on the Correlation between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Serum Lipids

Background: One of the leading causes of blindness in the world is Glaucoma. The primary risk factor is Intra Ocular Pressure. But some cases progress even with control of intra ocular pressure. This substantiates the view that there are independent risk factors in pathogenesis of Glaucoma. This study was carried out by us to study the relation between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Serum Lipids. Methods and Materials: This study was conducted on 45 patients with POAG and 45 individuals without Glaucoma (Controls). Ophthalmic examination was performed on all patients and Fasting Lipid profile including Total Cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein and Triglycerides were measured and analysed between cases and controls. Results: It was noted that the level of total cholesterol, total glycerol and LDL were significantly higher in cases than in controls with P values < 0.06. level of HDL was lower in controls but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for POAG. High levels of Serum Cholesterol, Serum Triglycerides and serum LDL corelate significantly with POAG.