Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Glaucoma: Results From the LifeLines Cohort and UK Biobank.

Cohort studyInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science· Jun 2026

Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Glaucoma: Results From the LifeLines Cohort and UK Biobank.

Wei Liu, Ruru Guo, Mengxue Song … Nomdo M Jansonius

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GlaucomaCohort studyQ1IF 4.2

Higher blood uric acid levels were linked to slightly higher odds of glaucoma

Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Glaucoma: Results From the LifeLines Cohort and UK Biobank.

Wei Liu … Nomdo M Jansonius

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science · Jun 2026 · Q1 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between serum uric acid (uric acid) levels and primary open-angle glaucoma (primary open-angle glaucoma), and to explore potential genetic links and causal relationships using large population-based cohorts.

Methods

We analyzed data from 7443 participants in the LifeLines cohort and 90,107 participants in the UK Biobank, all aged ≥55 years.

n = 90,107 participants

Results

higher blood uric acid slightly raised the chances of having glaucoma

OR 1.06 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.11)

null 1

1.02

1.11

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

No association was observed in the LifeLines cohort.

Genetic analyses revealed no evidence of shared genetic correlation or causality between uric acid and glaucoma.

The uric acid polygenic risk score was not associated with glaucoma odds, and the glaucoma polygenic risk score showed no association with serum uric acid levels.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Elevated serum uric acid levels were phenotypically associated with glaucoma, but genetic analyses did not support a causal link. uric acid may reflect systemic oxidative stress rather than directly contribute to glaucoma pathogenesis.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Further studies are needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance.

Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Glaucoma: Results From the LifeLines Cohort and UK Biobank.

Associations Between Serum Uric Acid Levels and Glaucoma: Results From the LifeLines Cohort and UK Biobank.

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