Investigating the Association Between Alcohol Use and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: Risk Factors, Progression, and Clinical Implications
1Dr Muhammad Tariq Bangash, 2Umar Ali, 3Mansoor Ali, 4Taimoor Ghori, 5Khurram Ali, 6Marwa Riaz,
Submission: 15 January 2026 | Acceptance: 07 February 2026 | Publication: 12 March 2026
1Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Islam Medical College, Sialkot
2PIMS Islamabad
3UHS Lahore
4PIMS Islamabad
5PIMS Islamabad
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the progressive optic neuropathy important to irreversible vision loss. Various risk factors, including genetic predisposition, intraocular pressure (IOP), and lifestyle habits, are involved in its pathogenesis. The association among alcohol consumption and POAG remains inconclusive, requiring additional investigation.
Aim: This research intended to evaluate association among alcohol consumption and danger, progression, and clinical implications of POAG.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from October 2023 to September 2024. A total of 50 participants diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma were included. Patients were stratified according to their alcohol consumption history: non-drinkers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers. Clinical assessments included intraocular pressure measurements, visual field testing, and optic nerve head assessment. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression to evaluate effect of alcohol consumption on disease progression.
Results: Mean intraocular pressure was meaningfully higher in heavy drinkers (24.7 ± 3.5 mmHg) compared with moderate drinkers (19.8 ± 2.9 mmHg) and nondrinkers (17.2 ± 2.6 mmHg) (p < 0.05). Visual field impairment, as measured by mean deviation (MD), was more pronounced in heavy drinkers (-8.6 ± 1.3 dB) than in moderate drinkers (-5.4 ± 1.7 dB) and nondrinkers (-3.2 ± 1.5 dB). Heavy alcohol consumption was also associated with a higher cup-to-disc ratio (0.78 ± 0.06) compared to moderate drinkers (0.65 ± 0.08) and non-drinkers (0.56 ± 0.07). Regression analysis indicated that alcohol consumption was an autonomous risk factor for POAG progression (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Heavy alcohol consumption was meaningfully related with higher intraocular pressure, greater visual field loss, and greater optic nerve damage in individuals having primary open-angle glaucoma. These findings suggest that alcohol consumption may exacerbate disease progression, emphasizing the need for lifestyle modifications for treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma.
Keywords: Alcohol consumption, intraocular pressure, visual field loss, optic neuropathy, Primary open-angle glaucoma, risk factors.