Myopia Linked to Higher Glaucoma Risk

A cohort study of more than 14 million adults found progressively higher risks of glaucoma diagnosis and surgery with increasing myopia severity.

By: Sarah Fackler, managing editor, Optometric Management

Glaucoma Physician January 14, 2026

Clinical Report: Myopia Linked to Higher Glaucoma Risk

Overview

A cohort study of over 14 million adults reveals that myopia, particularly high myopia, is significantly associated with increased risks of glaucoma diagnosis and surgery. The findings underscore the importance of monitoring myopic patients for glaucoma development.

Background

Myopia is a prevalent refractive error that has been linked to various ocular complications, including glaucoma. Understanding the relationship between myopia and glaucoma is crucial for early detection and management, as glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss. This study provides quantitative evidence on the long-term risks associated with myopia, emphasizing the need for targeted surveillance in myopic populations.

Data Highlights

Group	Adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR)	95% Confidence Interval (CI)
Myopia	1.44	1.43-1.45
High Myopia	2.67	2.62-2.73
Any Glaucoma Surgery (Myopia)	1.71	1.67-1.75
Any Glaucoma Surgery (High Myopia)	3.07	2.91-3.25
Nonfiltering Surgeries (Myopia)	1.62	1.57-1.66
Filtering Surgeries (High Myopia)	4.03	3.67-4.42

Key Findings

Myopia is associated with a 44% higher hazard of developing glaucoma compared to nonmyopia.
High myopia has an even greater association, with a 167% increased hazard for glaucoma development.
Individuals with myopia are 71% more likely to require glaucoma surgery compared to nonmyopic individuals.
Filtering surgeries show the largest relative differences in risk, particularly in high myopia cases.
Myopia diagnosis showed a sensitivity of 79.6% and specificity of 86%; high myopia had lower sensitivity but high specificity.
The study utilized a large cohort with near-complete population coverage, enhancing the reliability of the findings.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be vigilant in monitoring myopic patients for signs of glaucoma, particularly those with high myopia. Early detection and intervention strategies are essential to prevent vision loss in this at-risk population.

Conclusion

The study highlights a significant association between myopia and increased glaucoma risk, reinforcing the need for proactive glaucoma screening in myopic patients. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and improve management strategies.

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