Associations with intraocular pressure in Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of biologic factors with intraocular pressure (IOP) in a Latino population.

DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study.

METHODS: Latinos 40 years and older (n = 5,958) from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study without a history of ocular hypotensive treatment underwent an interviewer-administered questionnaire and a complete ocular and clinical examination. IOP was obtained by applanation tonometry and was based on the mean of three measurements. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the independent association of biological factors with IOP.

RESULTS: Higher systolic blood pressure, higher central corneal thickness, and diabetes mellitus were the major factors associated with elevated IOP. Other positively correlated variables included age, female gender, higher diastolic blood pressure, larger body mass index, darker colored irides, and nuclear sclerosis. Axial length and family history of glaucoma had no association with IOP.

CONCLUSIONS: Several systemic and ocular characteristics are associated with elevated IOP in Latinos. By identifying and recognizing these risk factors, we can define subgroups of the population that may be most at risk of having elevated IOP.