Type 2 diabetes associated with increased OAG risk in Latinos, study finds

The incidence and duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus appear to be independently associated with a higher risk of developing open-angle glaucoma for Latino adults, according to a new analysis of data from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

"The high prevalences of [type 2 diabetes mellitus] and OAG (open-angle glaucoma) and their association in this fastest-growing segment of the United States population have significant implications for designing screening programs targeting Latinos," the study authors said.

Vikas Chopra, MD, and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles, obtained questionnaire responses and ocular exams for 5,894 Latinos aged 40 years and older. They used logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between type 2 diabetes and the risk for developing OAG.

Overall, 1,157 participants (19.6%) had type 2 diabetes and 288 (4.9%) had OAG.

Investigators found a 40% higher prevalence of OAG among participants who had type 2 diabetes compared with participants without the disease (P = .03), according to the study.

"Trend analysis revealed that a longer duration of [type 2 diabetes] was associated with a higher prevalence of OAG (P < .0001)," the authors said.

The study is published in the February issue of Ophthalmology.