Association of diabetes, fasting glucose, and the risk of glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: We designed this systematic review to summarize the diabetes-related glaucoma articles produced from 2011 to 2022. We further aimed to perform a meta-analysis to determine the vital association between these two parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data sources like PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were used to find the relevant research. Reviews, case reports, and editorial letters were excluded. Articles inspection was conducted by the main author who extracted the study title and abstract in the first screening by using keywords to find the eligible articles. Heterogeneity was accessed by using the Cochrane Q test and I² test. RESULTS: 10 studies were reported with 2,702,136 cases of diabetes. Out of these, 64,998 incidents of glaucoma were observed. The pooled prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 11.7% associated with glaucoma. A significant I2 value was achieved (100%) with Cochran’s Q of 183.6. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found diabetes duration, elevated IOP, and fasting glucose levels are one of the leading risk factors for glaucoma. Fasting glucose levels and diabetes are also major contributors to elevated IOP levels.