Researchers have found that individuals with systolic ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and blood pressure (BP) in the lowest quarter of the natural population distribution had higher risk of having primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

The study recruited 9,877 participants from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study to undergo standard ocular and systemic evaluations. Compared to mid-range levels, those with systolic OPP less than 110mm Hg were 1.85x more likely to have POAG, and those with systolic BP less than 124mm Hg were 1.69x more likely to have POAG. Researchers also found that lower systolic BP’s effect on POAG was more pronounced in eyes with intraocular pressure (IOP) less than or equal to 21mm Hg. Still, mean and diastolic profiles of OPP and BP were not significantly associated with POAG.

Researchers conclude that the association of POAG to low levels of systolic OPP was potentially secondary to the low levels of systolic blood pressure and high IOP values.