A team of British researchers found a significant association between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and higher rates of Goldmann-correlated and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOP), in addition to a strong link between POAG and lower rates of corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factors. Researchers are slated to present their findings from the Epic-Norfolk Eye Study at this week’s ARVO meeting.

The large, community-based cohort study included 8,623 participants, 315 of whom were diagnosed with POAG in either eye. Researchers used logistic regression to test the association of POAG with Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert) variables such as corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and Goldmann-correlated and corneal-compensated IOP. They also considered socioeconomic and other ocular factors.

Corneal hysteresis and corneal-compensated IOP explained a greater variance of POAG than Goldman-correlated IOP and corneal resistance factor, the researchers found. This suggests corneal hysteresis and corneal-compensated IOP could be useful metrics in managing POAG, the investigators concluded.

After adjusting for covariates, several well-known factors associated with POAG were found to be associated with POAG in this study group, notes Joseph Shovlin, OD, of Scranton, PA. “Corneal hysteresis—a direct measure of the ability to absorb shock—and corneal-compensated IOP will likely remain important metrics in managing POAG patients.”