Relationships between Obesity, Nutrient Supply and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Koreans

To investigate the association between nutrient intake and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in Koreans, a population-based, cross-sectional survey, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was analyzed. Glaucoma diagnosis was based on criteria established by the International Society of Geographic and Epidemiologic Ophthalmology. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between dietary intake and the prevalence of POAG in all enrolled subjects. In the low Body mass index(BMI) group (BMI <18.5), females with POAG had significantly lower intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, B-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C than their non-glaucoma counterparts, based on a multivariate logistic regression analysis (all p < 0.05). In females with a medium BMI (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23), POAG showed a significant association with lower food intake, energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin and niacin. (all p < 0.05). Lower protein thiamine intake in medium BMI males was related to POAG. Low dietary intake of several nutrients showed an association with glaucoma in low BMI female subjects. An insufficient intake of certain nutrients may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma in Koreans. Further large-scale cohort studies are needed to determine how specific nutrients alter the risk of glaucoma.