European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Glaucoma is a collection of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve, which is essential for proper vision. An unusually high pressure in the eye is often the source of this injury. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.  It is a serious worldwide problem that causes severe ocular morbidity and impairment as a consequence of its progressive nature, which results in permanent vision loss. Material and Methods: This is a prospective and observational study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology at Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shivamogga from November 2022 to December 2023. Total 74 (Due to COVID pandemic the study subjects was reduced from 100 to 74). Data was collected from patients of primary open angle glaucoma with systemic hypertension presenting to ophthalmology department. Patients with systemic hypertension meeting the criteria mentioned above were included in the study after taking informed consent. A detailed history regarding past medical illness including hypertension, duration of hypertension, family history of glaucoma was taken. Details regarding antihypertensive medications and any other medications that the patient was on were also obtained. Results: Among study participants, about 66 %  were males & 34% were  females Demonstrating that out of 74 patients, 31 patients i.e., 42% had high IOP & remaining 58% had normal IOP. The mean values of IOP in right & left eyes were 21 mm of Hg & 20.80 mm of Hg respectively; clearly showing that mean IOP is slightly higher in Right eye of patients. Median values were 21 for right eye & 20.50 for left eye. Standard deviation for right eye was 3.664 & left eye was 3.188. Maximum value for right eye was 34 & minimum was 14 and for left eye maximum & minimum values were 30 & 14 respectively. The  mean value for Central Corneal Thickness in Right eye as 511.36 with a standard deviation of 15.431 & median lies at 510. Conclusion: Even though, many studies reported that higher systemic blood pressure is having higher risk of developing POAG & few studies reported that hypotension is also a risk factor for developing POAG. But, in the current study there was a statistically significant association found between Systemic hypertension & POAG and also IOP is positively correlated with SBP. Thus, with this study, it can be concluded that systemic hypertension is one of the risk factors for developing POAG.