European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical correlation of glaucoma with systemic hypertension and its effect on visual morbidity.
Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga, Bihar, India, for  15 months. It was carried out on 110 patients ranging in age from 30 to 70 years old, including recently diagnosed hypertensives as well as previously diagnosed hypertensives that were now undergoing medication and being followed up on. According to new American Heart Association guidelines, hypertensive patients had blood pressure readings of >120/80 mm Hg on two different occasions. Calcium channel blockers (CCB), diuretics, angiotensin transforming enzyme inhibitors (ACE), angiotensin receptor blockers, and beta blockers were the five types of oral hypotensive drug used among the patients. Results: Among the 110 hypertension patients involved in the study, 66 patients (60%) were female and 44 patients (40%) were male. Age group affected was 15.45% between 30-40 years, 31.82% between 40 to 50 years and 52.73% above 50 years, the mean age being 57.7 years. Hypertensive patients diagnosed with having glaucoma had a mean duration of 4.87 years. Among the 45 newly diagnosed patients 30 patients had glaucoma and 15 patients did not have glaucoma. They had been on oral hypertension medications for a duration ranging from 1 month to 6 months. The oral hypotensive medication taken by patients were categorized into 5 groups as calcium channel blockers(CCB), diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and beta blockers.
Conclusion: Hypertension can cause both reduction and elevation in IOP. Treatment of hypertension does lower the IOP and prevent further progression of glaucoma and prevent any visual loss.