This cross-sectional study examined the association between genetic risk variants of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age at the time of diagnosis.

Study design

Researchers compared more than 6,000 individuals with POAG and controls from the GLAUGEN and NEIGHBOR studies. They calculated the genetic risk scores (GRS) using 12 known POAG genetic risk variants and assessed if the GRS correlated with age of glaucoma diagnosis.

Outcomes

In the POAG group, patients in the highest 5% of the GRS were diagnosed with glaucoma approximately 5 years earlier than those with the lowest GRS (61.4 vs 66.6 years; P=0.0005).

Limitations

This study is limited by its retrospective study design. Investigators only assessed 12 known alleles.

Clinical significance

Patients with more genetic risk factors tend to develop glaucoma at a younger age and may need to be monitored more closely.