Association between triglyceride glucose index and glaucoma: results from the NHANES 2005–2008

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and represents a substantial global public health challenge. Growing evidence implicates metabolic dysregulation (particularly insulin resistance) in the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple and reliable surrogate marker for insulin resistance, has been widely used in metabolic and cardiovascular research. However, its relevance to glaucoma remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between the TyG index and glaucoma, thereby providing new insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying this vision-threatening disease. A cross-sectional analysis of the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was performed. The 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey national household survey for adults ≥ 40 years was examined for glaucoma patients. TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2]. A multifactorial logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between TyG index and glaucoma. Restricted multivariate logistic regression model and cubic spline analysis was used to assess the association between TyG index and risk of glaucoma. A total of 973 patients were included. Higher TyG indices were significantly associated with an increase in glaucoma in U.S. adults. TyG index is positively associated with the risk of developing glaucoma. TyG index may be a therapeutic target and an important predictor of glaucoma.