Researchers recently found albuminuria—increased albumin in the urine that indicates kidney disease—is linked with an increased risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The team recruited participants in the Singapore Chinese Eye study to undergo standardized ocular and systemic evaluations and found that higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (per 50mg/g increase) was independently associated with POAG.

The study included 3,009 Chinese adults (5,963 eyes) between the ages of 40 and 80, 52 of whom (75 eyes) had POAG. Individuals with macroalbuminuria, or more than 300mg/g increase, were eight times more likely to have POAG compare with those with normal albuminuria levels. Lower albuminuria, between a 30mg/g and 300mg/g increase, was not significantly associated with POAG. The researchers also found that the association between increased albuminuria and POAG remained significant among those with diabetes and hypertension.

The researchers stated that their findings provide further understanding of POAG’s pathogenesis and may potentially help identify those at risk for POAG.