Study Finds Periodontitis Significantly Increases Glaucoma Risk

Periodontal health was determined by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and glaucoma was diagnosed according to International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria.

Key Findings

• 197 out of 3,681 participants (4.59%) were found to have glaucoma, while 3,484 (95.41%) did not have it.

• Among the patients with glaucoma, 80 (39.48%) also had periodontitis.

• However, among the individuals without glaucoma, 892 (22.20%) had periodontitis.

The presence of periodontitis was strongly related to glaucoma:

• Odds Ratio (OR): 1.53

• 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.06–2.22

• P < 0.001 after age, sex, diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), smoking, and alcohol consumption adjustment.

Subgroup analyses indicated even greater associations in specific groups:

• For those ≥40 years old, the OR was 1.75 (95% CI: 1.18–2.61).

• In men, the OR was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.01–2.70).

• In diabetic patients, the OR was 2.70 (95% CI: 1.46–5.02), indicating they were almost three times more likely to have glaucoma if also diagnosed with periodontitis.

These results reinforce the developing understanding of the mouth–eye relationship and necessitate more longitudinal studies investigating causal pathways and mechanisms. Incorporation of monitoring for oral health into general health evaluations has the potential to enhance the early detection and prevention of glaucoma and perhaps other systemic conditions.

Reference:

Noh, J. H., Lee, M. Y., Yoo, C., Sung, K. R., & Kim, J. M. (2025). Relationship Between Periodontitis and Open Angle Glaucoma: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal of glaucoma, 34(8), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.1097/IJG.0000000000002584