Association Between Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Glaucoma in Japan

PRÉCIS: In this case-control study of the Japanese population, including 3207 glaucoma cases, alcohol consumption patterns such as frequency and quantity showed a positive association with glaucoma prevalence. PURPOSE: To examine the association between alcohol consumption patterns and glaucoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This case-control study evaluated 3207 cases with glaucoma and 3207 matched controls. Patients over 40 years of age were included from 1,693,611 patients admitted to 34 hospitals in Japan. Detailed alcohol consumption patterns (drinking frequency, average daily drinks, and total lifetime drinks) were obtained, as well as various confounding factors, including smoking history and lifestyle-related comorbidities. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for glaucoma prevalence. RESULTS: Drinking frequency showed an association with glaucoma for “a few days/week” (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03–1.38) and “almost every day/week” (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.18–1.66). Average daily drinks showed an association for “>0–2 drinks/day” (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03–1.32). Total lifetime drinks showed an association for “>60–90 drink-year” (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01–1.49) and “>90 drink-year” (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05–1.44). As alcohol consumption levels differed considerably between men and women, additional analyses were conducted separately for men and women. Among men, drinking frequency of “a few days/week” and “almost every day/week,” average daily drinks of “>0–2 drinks/day” and “>2–4 drinks/day,” and total lifetime drinks of “>60–90 drink-year” and “>90 drink-year” had an association with glaucoma. Conversely, among women, neither drinking frequency, average daily drinks, nor total lifetime drinks were associated. CONCLUSIONS: Both the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption were associated with glaucoma. Further research on gender differences is warranted.