Association between alcohol consumption patterns and glaucoma in Japan

A study in Japan examined the association between alcohol consumption patterns and glaucoma. The case-control study evaluated 3,207 cases with glaucoma and 3,207 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. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for glaucoma prevalence were calculated.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.
Both the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption were associated with glaucoma. The researchers suggest that further research on gender differences is warranted.
Source: Sano, Kei Terauchi, Ryo Fukai, Kota Furuya, Yuko; Nakazawa, Shoko; Kojimahara, Noriko MD, Hoshi, Keika, Nakano, Tadashi Toyota, Akihiro MD, PhD; Tatemichi, Masayuki. Association Between Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Glaucoma in Japan. Journal of Glaucoma 32(11):p 968-975, November 2023.