Anxiety to glaucoma

October 17, 2020 Staff reporters

Researchers from Duke University in North Carolina have showed that glaucoma suspects with a history of anxiety were more likely to develop glaucoma.

 

Published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the retrospective study reviewed 3259 US glaucoma suspects over more than three years and cross checked them for the presence of anxiety and depression via their electronic health records. Nearly a third (28%) were diagnosed with glaucoma, and 32% and 33%, respectively, with anxiety and/or depression. “Diagnoses of anxiety, or concomitant anxiety and depression were significantly associated with risk of converting to glaucoma over time,” reported study authors.