Raised intraocular pressure and its associated risk factors: A community-based cross-sectional study in a block of Siliguri sub-division, India

Abstract Background: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. Objective: To determine the prevalence of raised IOP in a community and study the possible associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 adult participants in the Matigara block from March 2024 to June 2024. Clinical and ophthalmological examinations were performed on each participant. To measure IOP, an Applanation tonometer was used. To identify the variables associated with IOP levels >21 mm Hg, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Results: A total of 25.7% of the participants in this study had elevated IOP in one or both eyes. After adjusting for covariates such as age, sex, education level, occupation, and history of smoking or tobacco use, a multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between respondents with a history of ocular trauma (AOR 16.48; 95% CI 1.72–157.91), ocular surgery (AOR 10.93; 95% CI 3.79–31.50), diabetes (AOR 4.43; 95% CI 1.80–10.90), hypertension (AOR 6.74; 95% CI 2.52–18.04), and elevated IOP. Conclusion: The prevalence of raised IOP was high and possible risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, ocular trauma, ocular surgery, and socio-demographic characteristics, such as low socioeconomic status and the use of biomass fuels found to be associated with it.