Systemic Hypertension as an Independent Risk Factor for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: Evidence from Indian Case-Control Study

PURPOSE: To determine the association between hypertension and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to identify demographic subgroups with enhanced susceptibility. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study enrolled 101 patients with PCV and 101 age-matched controls without retinal disease. The primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) for PCV comparing both groups. Secondary analyses examined age- and gender-stratified associations. Logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in PCV cases (84.2%, 85/101) compared to controls (60.4%, 61/101), with an unadjusted OR of 3.48 (95% CI: 1.79-6.78; P<0.001). The association was particularly strong in patients older than 70 years (OR=7.14, P=0.001) and in males (OR=3.34, P=0.002). After adjustment for age and gender, hypertension remained an independent risk factor for PCV (adjusted OR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.72-6.82; P<0.001). Multicollinearity was absent (all Variance Inflation Factor [VIF]<3). CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a significant independent risk factor for PCV, with increased risk in elderly and male patients. These findings suggest a mechanistic link between systemic hypertensive vascular disease and choroidal vasculopathy development and may inform clinical screening and risk stratification in hypertensive populations.