The association of intraocular pressure with metabolic syndrome and its components: a Meta-analysis and systematic review

AIM: To perform a Meta-analysis to explore the correlation between metabolic syndrome and intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: We searched PubMed and Embase in November 2017 for studies discussing the relationship between metabolic syndrome components and IOP in patients. Pearson correlation coefficients, odds ratios and standardized betas were extracted from inclusive studies. Heterogeneity and publication bias were checked. RESULTS: Of 295 articles, 10 met inclusion criteria and provided sufficient data for Meta-analysis. Results showed a significant positive relation between metabolic syndrome and IOP (Z=0.47, 95% CI: 0.15-0.79, P=0.005). The five components [waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose and low high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol] of metabolic syndrome all showed positive correlation with IOP except the low HDL-cholesterol which had no statistical significance. The pooled Z was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.04-0.12), 0.16 (95% CI: 0.11-0.21), 0.16 (95% CI: 0.10-0.22), 0.30 (95% CI: 0.20-0.40) and 0.12 (95% CI: 0.08-0.16), respectively. Begg's test and Egger's test showed no evidence of significant publication bias of this Meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that metabolic syndrome and its components are significantly associated with IOP, besides the HDL-cholesterol. This association may be used to control IOP by intervening the occurrence of metabolic syndrome.